Aakanksha Sinha | Boston College (original) (raw)
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Papers by Aakanksha Sinha
ABSTRACT Background: The right to food is a fundamental human right guaranteed to everyone. Howev... more ABSTRACT Background: The right to food is a fundamental human right guaranteed to everyone. However, millions of Americans continue to be food insecure despite participating in SNAP (USDA 2012). With the recent economic downturns, current estimates of food insecure households stand at 18 Million; with 16.7 million of those affected being children (USDA, 2012). Evidence on the effect of SNAP on the welfare of participating households exists (Wilde & Nord, 2005). Little is known on how food insecure households navigate the risk associated with food insecurity. The evidence in place suggests that such households are likely to turn to informal supports to mitigate food insecurity. Focusing specifically on households participating in SNAP, we examine the moderating effects of informal food assistance on household and child food security. Method: The study uses data from the 2010 Current Population Survey (USDA-ERS, 2010); an archive providing data on the welfare of American households. CPS also includes data on the use of formal (SNAP) and informal food assistance networks. We focus specifically on a sub-sample of households below 185% of the poverty line who answered questions on household and child food security (N=1,186). Two OLS regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics, household food security, SNAP participation, and informal food supports vs. child food security. The first model included all study variables while the second, which assessed the moderation effects of informal food supports on child security, included all study variables and an interaction term (household food security X informal food supports). Results: A number of respondent’s characteristics, including age of the head of household, race, immigrant status, being a female-headed household, having fewer children, lower informal food supports, and greater household food security significantly predicted child food security. Further, there was no difference in child food security in households with high or marginal levels of food security with respect to whether or not the household received informal food assistance. However, variations were observed in child food security between households with low or very low levels of food security in relations to whether or not the household received informal food assistance (CFS mean = 5.82 vs. 6.49). More specifically, food insecure households that accessed informal food supports had lower levels of child food security. Conclusion: Results of this study highlight the risks faced by households with low food security and their reliance on informal food assistance despite participating in SNAP. These results suggest that informal food assistance may be an important avenue for the welfare of low-income households; they help make-up for what may be lacking in the food stamp program. This may be, especially, the case for households in great need and fewer resources. Recognizing that access to food is a fundamental human right, state providers may need to shift from a paradigm of provision of food as safety-net or charity to a rights-based perspective that actively seeks to ensure that all, especially children, are guaranteed the right to food.
Background: The right to food is a fundamental human right guaranteed to everyone. However, milli... more Background: The right to food is a fundamental human right guaranteed to everyone. However, millions of Americans continue to be food insecure despite participating in SNAP (USDA 2012). With the recent economic downturns, current estimates of food insecure households stand at 18 Million; with 16.7 million of those affected being children (USDA, 2012). Evidence on the effect of SNAP on the welfare of participating households exists (Wilde & Nord, 2005). Little is known on how food insecure households navigate the risk associated with food insecurity. The evidence in place suggests that such households are likely to turn to informal supports to mitigate food insecurity. Focusing specifically on households participating in SNAP, we examine the moderating effects of informal food assistance on household and child food security. Method: The study uses data from the 2010 Current Population Survey (USDA-ERS, 2010); an archive providing data on the welfare of American households. CPS also i...
BMC public health, Jan 28, 2015
Unconditional and conditional cash transfer programmes (UCT and CCT) show potential to improve th... more Unconditional and conditional cash transfer programmes (UCT and CCT) show potential to improve the well-being of orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS (OVC). We address the gap in current understanding about the extent to which household-based cash transfers differentially impact individual children's outcomes, according to risk or protective factors such as orphan status and household assets. Data were obtained from a cluster-randomised controlled trial in eastern Zimbabwe, with random assignment to three study arms - UCT, CCT or control. The sample included 5,331 children ages 6-17 from 1,697 households. Generalized linear mixed models were specified to predict OVC health vulnerability (child chronic illness and disability) and social protection (birth registration and 90% school attendance). Models included child-level risk factors (age, orphan status); household risk factors (adults with chronic illnesses and disabilities, greater household size); and househ...
Social work in health care, Jan 4, 2016
Evidence documenting effects of food assistance programs, household food insecurity, and nutritio... more Evidence documenting effects of food assistance programs, household food insecurity, and nutrition knowledge on health outcomes is building. Using data from a sub-sample of adults who are 185% of the poverty line from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N = 2,171), we examine whether household food insecurity, food stamp take-up, and use of informal food supports are associated with health risk among low-income households. Findings indicate that while nutrition knowledge provides protection against health risk in food secure households, the health benefits of nutrition knowledge were not evident in food insecure households. We discuss these findings in light of current policy and practice interventions that recognize the importance of providing healthy, affordable food options for food insecure households.
India has more than 25 million orphan and abandoned children (OAC) (United Nations Children's Fun... more India has more than 25 million orphan and abandoned children (OAC) (United Nations Children's Fund, 2012). The burden of care for these OAC is on caregivers that are often ill equipped to meet their needs due to inadequate assets. Previous studies suggest that in communities with limited resources, OAC residing with non-biological caregivers are more at risk than those fostered by a biological parent. This study explores the association of caregiver and child characteristics with OAC educational outcome in India. The analysis was conducted using hierarchical logistic regression. The findings have implications for practice and policy in the global child welfare field.
This study contributes to ongoing effort to understand correlates of academic performance in scho... more This study contributes to ongoing effort to understand correlates of academic performance in school age African American male adolescents in public housing (N = 220). Guided by problem behavior theory (PBT), we examine the effects of depressive symptoms, anxiety sensitivity and delinquent behavior on academic performance. The effect of age and environmental factors is also assessed. Results provide partial support for PBT and suggest that delinquent behavior was positively related to academic performance while age and anxiety sensitivity were inversely related to the dependent variable. Although depressive symptoms was not related to the dependent variable, the interaction term indicated that when youth reported depressive symptoms below the 24 cutoff point age had no effect on their academic performance. Implications for policy and scholarship are presented.
The Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) is the flagship programme of the national governme... more The Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) is the flagship programme of the national government to improve child nutritional status in the country.The programme targets a large section of the Indian population, particularly those
in low-income communities. Although more than 13 lakh beneficiaries are enrolled in the programme, the positive nutritional status for majority of the child population still remains out of reach. While India boasts of a rapidly growing
economy, it continues to suffer from high rates of child malnutrition and infant mortality, which are important indicators of human development. India currently
ranks at 135 out of 187 countries in the Human Development Index. Also, its ranking has increased from 103 to 112 in the Child Development Index (CDI) since 2004, indicating very poor progress towards child health, education and
nutrition. Although education rates are relatively high, India ranks poorly in child nutritional status, with 40 per cent of the child population being moderately or severely underweight and the infant mortality rates at 55 per 1,000 live births.
The supplementary nutrition programme (SNP) through the ICDS provides
supplementary meals to children between 0–6 years and pregnant, nursing and
lactating mothers to ensure improved nutrition outcomes. This being said, the
nutritional value of the meals has been under scrutiny. While the meals might
meet the caloric value required to stave off starvation, it is questionable whether
they help improve the nutritional status of the participating children and women.
As a result, those who cannot afford meals due to financial constraints and are
dependent on ICDS to provide daily sustenance for their children, often confront
issues of malnutrition and at times death.
The National Food Security Act, 2013 gives every Indian citizen the legal
entitlement to food. Food security however does not only refer to freedom from
hunger, but also access to nutritious food that leads to proper development
of the individual. Without including nutritious food in the ‘daily free meals a
large section of the child population and nursing and lactating mothers who
are receiving supplementary meals through the ICDS are unable to reach their
optimal development. Malnutrition during childhood impacts an individual’s life
long health trajectory. Therefore, ICDS must work towards including nutritious
food and ensure that it reaches all their beneficiaries.
Gaps in implementation due to lack of effective monitoring, regular
evaluations and participation of grassroots-level service providers and community
members has contributed to the ineffectiveness of ICDS. This study attempts to
understand the challenges and barriers faced by the chain of service providers,
through a rapid assessment so as to express the need for a more in-depth
evaluation of the ICDS programme in the NCT and other parts of the country.
This will help identify gaps as well as possible alterations that are needed in the
ICDS programme to achieve its primary objective.
Children and Youth Services Review, 2014
ABSTRACT This study contributes to ongoing effort to understand correlates of academic performanc... more ABSTRACT This study contributes to ongoing effort to understand correlates of academic performance in schoolage African American male adolescents in public housing (N=220). Guided by Problem Behavior Theory (PBT), we examine effects of depressive symptoms, anxiety sensitivity and delinquent behavior on academic performance. The effect of age and environmental factors are also assessed. Results provide partial support for PBT and suggest that delinquent behavior was positively related to academic performance while age and anxiety sensitivity were inversely related to the dependent variable. Although depressive symptoms was not related to the dependent variable, the interaction term indicated that when youth reported depressive symptoms below the 24 cut-off point age had no effect on their academic performance. Implications for policy and scholarship are presented.
Conference Presentations by Aakanksha Sinha
ABSTRACT Background: The right to food is a fundamental human right guaranteed to everyone. Howev... more ABSTRACT Background: The right to food is a fundamental human right guaranteed to everyone. However, millions of Americans continue to be food insecure despite participating in SNAP (USDA 2012). With the recent economic downturns, current estimates of food insecure households stand at 18 Million; with 16.7 million of those affected being children (USDA, 2012). Evidence on the effect of SNAP on the welfare of participating households exists (Wilde & Nord, 2005). Little is known on how food insecure households navigate the risk associated with food insecurity. The evidence in place suggests that such households are likely to turn to informal supports to mitigate food insecurity. Focusing specifically on households participating in SNAP, we examine the moderating effects of informal food assistance on household and child food security. Method: The study uses data from the 2010 Current Population Survey (USDA-ERS, 2010); an archive providing data on the welfare of American households. CPS also includes data on the use of formal (SNAP) and informal food assistance networks. We focus specifically on a sub-sample of households below 185% of the poverty line who answered questions on household and child food security (N=1,186). Two OLS regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics, household food security, SNAP participation, and informal food supports vs. child food security. The first model included all study variables while the second, which assessed the moderation effects of informal food supports on child security, included all study variables and an interaction term (household food security X informal food supports). Results: A number of respondent’s characteristics, including age of the head of household, race, immigrant status, being a female-headed household, having fewer children, lower informal food supports, and greater household food security significantly predicted child food security. Further, there was no difference in child food security in households with high or marginal levels of food security with respect to whether or not the household received informal food assistance. However, variations were observed in child food security between households with low or very low levels of food security in relations to whether or not the household received informal food assistance (CFS mean = 5.82 vs. 6.49). More specifically, food insecure households that accessed informal food supports had lower levels of child food security. Conclusion: Results of this study highlight the risks faced by households with low food security and their reliance on informal food assistance despite participating in SNAP. These results suggest that informal food assistance may be an important avenue for the welfare of low-income households; they help make-up for what may be lacking in the food stamp program. This may be, especially, the case for households in great need and fewer resources. Recognizing that access to food is a fundamental human right, state providers may need to shift from a paradigm of provision of food as safety-net or charity to a rights-based perspective that actively seeks to ensure that all, especially children, are guaranteed the right to food.
Background: The right to food is a fundamental human right guaranteed to everyone. However, milli... more Background: The right to food is a fundamental human right guaranteed to everyone. However, millions of Americans continue to be food insecure despite participating in SNAP (USDA 2012). With the recent economic downturns, current estimates of food insecure households stand at 18 Million; with 16.7 million of those affected being children (USDA, 2012). Evidence on the effect of SNAP on the welfare of participating households exists (Wilde & Nord, 2005). Little is known on how food insecure households navigate the risk associated with food insecurity. The evidence in place suggests that such households are likely to turn to informal supports to mitigate food insecurity. Focusing specifically on households participating in SNAP, we examine the moderating effects of informal food assistance on household and child food security. Method: The study uses data from the 2010 Current Population Survey (USDA-ERS, 2010); an archive providing data on the welfare of American households. CPS also i...
BMC public health, Jan 28, 2015
Unconditional and conditional cash transfer programmes (UCT and CCT) show potential to improve th... more Unconditional and conditional cash transfer programmes (UCT and CCT) show potential to improve the well-being of orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS (OVC). We address the gap in current understanding about the extent to which household-based cash transfers differentially impact individual children's outcomes, according to risk or protective factors such as orphan status and household assets. Data were obtained from a cluster-randomised controlled trial in eastern Zimbabwe, with random assignment to three study arms - UCT, CCT or control. The sample included 5,331 children ages 6-17 from 1,697 households. Generalized linear mixed models were specified to predict OVC health vulnerability (child chronic illness and disability) and social protection (birth registration and 90% school attendance). Models included child-level risk factors (age, orphan status); household risk factors (adults with chronic illnesses and disabilities, greater household size); and househ...
Social work in health care, Jan 4, 2016
Evidence documenting effects of food assistance programs, household food insecurity, and nutritio... more Evidence documenting effects of food assistance programs, household food insecurity, and nutrition knowledge on health outcomes is building. Using data from a sub-sample of adults who are 185% of the poverty line from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N = 2,171), we examine whether household food insecurity, food stamp take-up, and use of informal food supports are associated with health risk among low-income households. Findings indicate that while nutrition knowledge provides protection against health risk in food secure households, the health benefits of nutrition knowledge were not evident in food insecure households. We discuss these findings in light of current policy and practice interventions that recognize the importance of providing healthy, affordable food options for food insecure households.
India has more than 25 million orphan and abandoned children (OAC) (United Nations Children's Fun... more India has more than 25 million orphan and abandoned children (OAC) (United Nations Children's Fund, 2012). The burden of care for these OAC is on caregivers that are often ill equipped to meet their needs due to inadequate assets. Previous studies suggest that in communities with limited resources, OAC residing with non-biological caregivers are more at risk than those fostered by a biological parent. This study explores the association of caregiver and child characteristics with OAC educational outcome in India. The analysis was conducted using hierarchical logistic regression. The findings have implications for practice and policy in the global child welfare field.
This study contributes to ongoing effort to understand correlates of academic performance in scho... more This study contributes to ongoing effort to understand correlates of academic performance in school age African American male adolescents in public housing (N = 220). Guided by problem behavior theory (PBT), we examine the effects of depressive symptoms, anxiety sensitivity and delinquent behavior on academic performance. The effect of age and environmental factors is also assessed. Results provide partial support for PBT and suggest that delinquent behavior was positively related to academic performance while age and anxiety sensitivity were inversely related to the dependent variable. Although depressive symptoms was not related to the dependent variable, the interaction term indicated that when youth reported depressive symptoms below the 24 cutoff point age had no effect on their academic performance. Implications for policy and scholarship are presented.
The Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) is the flagship programme of the national governme... more The Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) is the flagship programme of the national government to improve child nutritional status in the country.The programme targets a large section of the Indian population, particularly those
in low-income communities. Although more than 13 lakh beneficiaries are enrolled in the programme, the positive nutritional status for majority of the child population still remains out of reach. While India boasts of a rapidly growing
economy, it continues to suffer from high rates of child malnutrition and infant mortality, which are important indicators of human development. India currently
ranks at 135 out of 187 countries in the Human Development Index. Also, its ranking has increased from 103 to 112 in the Child Development Index (CDI) since 2004, indicating very poor progress towards child health, education and
nutrition. Although education rates are relatively high, India ranks poorly in child nutritional status, with 40 per cent of the child population being moderately or severely underweight and the infant mortality rates at 55 per 1,000 live births.
The supplementary nutrition programme (SNP) through the ICDS provides
supplementary meals to children between 0–6 years and pregnant, nursing and
lactating mothers to ensure improved nutrition outcomes. This being said, the
nutritional value of the meals has been under scrutiny. While the meals might
meet the caloric value required to stave off starvation, it is questionable whether
they help improve the nutritional status of the participating children and women.
As a result, those who cannot afford meals due to financial constraints and are
dependent on ICDS to provide daily sustenance for their children, often confront
issues of malnutrition and at times death.
The National Food Security Act, 2013 gives every Indian citizen the legal
entitlement to food. Food security however does not only refer to freedom from
hunger, but also access to nutritious food that leads to proper development
of the individual. Without including nutritious food in the ‘daily free meals a
large section of the child population and nursing and lactating mothers who
are receiving supplementary meals through the ICDS are unable to reach their
optimal development. Malnutrition during childhood impacts an individual’s life
long health trajectory. Therefore, ICDS must work towards including nutritious
food and ensure that it reaches all their beneficiaries.
Gaps in implementation due to lack of effective monitoring, regular
evaluations and participation of grassroots-level service providers and community
members has contributed to the ineffectiveness of ICDS. This study attempts to
understand the challenges and barriers faced by the chain of service providers,
through a rapid assessment so as to express the need for a more in-depth
evaluation of the ICDS programme in the NCT and other parts of the country.
This will help identify gaps as well as possible alterations that are needed in the
ICDS programme to achieve its primary objective.
Children and Youth Services Review, 2014
ABSTRACT This study contributes to ongoing effort to understand correlates of academic performanc... more ABSTRACT This study contributes to ongoing effort to understand correlates of academic performance in schoolage African American male adolescents in public housing (N=220). Guided by Problem Behavior Theory (PBT), we examine effects of depressive symptoms, anxiety sensitivity and delinquent behavior on academic performance. The effect of age and environmental factors are also assessed. Results provide partial support for PBT and suggest that delinquent behavior was positively related to academic performance while age and anxiety sensitivity were inversely related to the dependent variable. Although depressive symptoms was not related to the dependent variable, the interaction term indicated that when youth reported depressive symptoms below the 24 cut-off point age had no effect on their academic performance. Implications for policy and scholarship are presented.