US Household Food Security Survey

Authors

United States Department of Agriculture

The US Household Food Security Survey is a tool used to measure the food security status of households. It assesses whether households have consistent, dependable access to enough food for active, healthy living.

What this tool is good for:

This tool may be used to monitor the extent and severity of food insecurity in households, and inform public policies and programs aimed at improving food security.

Access here

Validity and Reliability Papers

Bickel G., Nord M., Price C., Hamilton W., Cook J. (2000) United States Department of Agriculture. Guide to measuring household food security, revised 2000; pp. 1–76

Liese, A.D., Brown, A.D., Frongillo, E.A., Julceus, E.F., Sauder, K.A., Reboussin, B.A., Bellatorre, A., Dolan, L.M., Reynolds, K., Pihoker, C., Mendoza, J.A.. (2024) Properties of the Household Food Security Survey Module Scale in Young Adults with Diabetes. J Nutr. 154(3):1050-1057. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.01.028

Foster, J. S., Schwartz, M. B., Grenier, R. S., Burke, M. P., Taylor, E. A., & Mobley, A. R. (2018). A qualitative investigation into the U.S. Department of Agriculture 18‐item Household Food Security Survey Module: Variations in interpretation, understanding and report by gender. Journal of Public Affairs, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.1861

Type of tool

Screening

Specific gender

Non-specific

Age validated for use with

Adults (18+ years)

Eating disorders

General

Evaluates

Dietary intake, Quality of life

Delivery Setting

Self-report

Number of Questions

Specific Populations

General population

Approximate administration time:

10-15-minutes

Free access

Yes

Languages

English, Spanish, Chinese

Notes

Alternative versions, including shorter forms and those adapted for youth, can be found here: https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/survey-tools