Communities in the Sahel region are confronted with problems such as depletion of soil fertility, food insecurity, and climate change, which exacerbate poverty and malnutrition for the inhabitants. The farmlands in Toukar, Senegal, are rapidly denuded of native trees, mainly Acacia albida, that provide myriad benefits. Agroforestry systems, or the intentional use of trees in croplands, have become a potential vehicle to transform the capacities of subsistence farmers to achieve food security. The purpose of this study is to determine farmers' attitudes about agroforestry, who seems to practice it and support it, who is unsure about its values, and who seems opposed to it. I find that farmers who practice a more intact historic version of the Serer farming system are the most supportive of agroforestry and tend to be wealthier, while people who are seemingly more modern are less likely to adopt it and tend to be poorer.

Aquaponics has recently emerged on the global scene as a viable form of alternative agriculture. A combination of practices, such as growing and harvesting fish (aquaculture) along with "hydroponically" grown fruits and vegetables, aquaponics integrates traditional agriculture practices with twenty-first century scientific food producing methods. In this thesis, I analyze the literature on aquaponics and connect it firmly within the current social and environmental discussions of the food security discourse among Pacific Island Countries and Territories in order to provide a context of geographical relevance of fish and vegetable producing systems. I also provide data from the Northern Mariana Island of Rota to showcase why and how aquaponics may be a viable option for improving food security within such a context. I then argue that the aquaponic project on the island of Rota helps serve as one potential pathway to improving food security. / 2015-07-14

The production, processing and marketing of sustainable and affordable food involve complex phenomena that affect the lives of millions of people worldwide. Due to the rapid growth of the world's population, the provision of food is a significant challenge for the agrifood industry and policy makers, as this is strictly interlinked with climate change and public health interventions. The overall aim of this research was to contribute to delivering nutritious food to feed an increasing unhealthy population. High-protein crops that can be grown sustainably in high latitude countries, including Scotland, could provide a healthy alternative to partially replace our dependency on unsustainable protein-rich foodstuffs. These include meat, the production of which is responsible for a substantial share of food-related environmental pressures. For this reason, green pea, lupin, fava bean, hemp and buckwheat were selected and analysed for their macro- and micro- nutrient content, as well as their phytochemical profile and compared to a red meat- and wheat-based meal in a human intervention trial. The crops studied were high in protein (ranging from 20 to 43% in buckwheat and lupin, respectively) and fibre (up to 25% in hemp) and also found to contain a diverse range of phenolic compounds, considered to participate in the prevention of diet-related disorders. As fava bean contained relatively high amounts of protein (approx. 22% w/w), protein fractions were isolated and further investigated to understand the contribution of the phytochemical components in terms of protein functionality and oxidative stability. Since fava bean protein isolates showed promising food applications, they were used to develop meat patties. The addition of fava bean proteins significantly decreased lipid and protein oxidation of the processed products. The results of this research could encourage a higher consumption of plant-based products, which would be favourable from both a health and environmental perspective.

Orientador: Maria Inez Espagnoli Geraldo Martins / Coorientador: Aldi Feiden / Banca: Ana Cláudia Giannini Borges / Banca: João Batista K. Fernandes / Banca: José Jorge Gebara / Banca: Altevir Signor / Resumo: Objetivou-se a realização de análise da viabilidade econômica da inserção de almôndega, quibe, bolo de chocolate e bolo de cenoura à base de tilápia na alimentação escolar. O estudo foi realizado nos municípios de Toledo-PR e Marechal Cândido Rondon-PR. Cidades que são destaque nacional na produção de tilápias, e apresentam estudos acerca do tema. Para isto o estudo foi dividido em três etapas. A primeira, consistiu no estudo do perfil socioeconômico de 12 pisciculturas. Para esta caracterização, foram realizados levantamentos de dados necessários na determinação dos custos de produção, rentabilidade e identificação das principais características dos empreendimentos rurais. No segundo momento, foram realizados os custos dos ingredientes dos quatro produtos à base de tilápia, onde foram levantados os valores pagos pelos ingredientes de cada receita pelas prefeituras municipais. A viabilidade da inserção dos produtos à base de pescado nas escolas foi a última etapa, onde os valores determinados no item anterior foram utilizados para o cálculo dos cardápios com e sem inserção do pescado. Como resultados observou-se que as propriedades apresentam em sua maioria mão-de-obra familiar, a lâmina d'água média é de 20.800m², de 1 a 18 tanques escavados e, para 41,6%. A piscicultura é sua atividade econômica principal, sendo o principal canal de comercialização, os frigoríficos da região. Constatou-se grande variação na produtividade de tilápias nos municípios de Toledo-PR e Marechal Câ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The objective of this study is to perform analysis of the economic viability of meatball insertion, kebab, chocolate cake and carrot cake for tilapia based school feeding. The study was conducted in the cities of Toledo-PR and Marechal Cândido Rondon-PR which are of national prominence in the production of tilapia and present studies on the subject. This study was divided into three stages. The first phase consisted in the study of the socioeconomic profile of 12 fish farms. For this characterization they were conducted data surveys to determine the production costs and profitability and identify the main characteristics of rural enterprises. In the second stage were carried out the cost of the ingredients of the four products based on tilapia meat, where the amounts paid for the ingredients of each recipe by municipalities were raised. The feasibility of insertion of the school feeding products based on fish is evaluated in the last stage, where the values determined in the previous section were used for the calculation of the diets with and without inclusion of fish. As a result it was found that the properties have mostly family labor and the average water depth were 20.800m², with 1 to 18 excavated tanks. For 41.6% of the fish farming the main marketing channel are slaughterhouses in the region. It was found a wide variation in tilapia productivity in the counties of Toledo-PR and M.C.Rondon-PR, ranged from 5,714 kg/ha to 97,540 kg/ha. The average COT was R$ 2.69 and the average selling price was R$ 3.13. The most efficient fish farms were the T6 in the county of Toledo-PR and the M3 in M.C.Rondon-PR. Mechanically separated meat (CMS) was more economically advantageous for the preparation of the four tilapia based products due to lower purchase price, compared to the tilapia fillet. The product with lower cost of ingredients per kilogram ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Orientador: José Paes de Almeida Nogueira Pinto / Banca: Vera Lúcia Mores Rall / Banca: Ricardo Seiti Yamatogi / Banca: Caio Antonio Carbonari / Banca: Evelise Oliveira Telles / Resumo: A criação de animais de produção vem se modificando gradualmente devido a diversas alterações socioculturais em todo o mundo. Cada vez mais se tem observado a demanda por alimentos produzidos considerando-se o bem estar animal. Neste contexto também encontra-se a avicultura de postura. Novos sistemas vêm sendo propostos para melhorar as condições de vida das galinhas poedeiras, destacando-se entre eles o free range (FR). São poucos os trabalhos que avaliaram a qualidade e segurança dos ovos produzidos nesses novos ambientes. Assim foi proposta neste estudo a avaliação de ovos e ambiente de produção de três granjas de postura comercial (duas no sistema convencional de criação e uma no sistema FR), sendo duas delas (FR e Convencional 1) localizadas em uma mesma propriedade, o que diminuiu a chance de introdução de viés de macroclima e linhagem. Foi pesquisada Salmonella no ambiente de produção, água de bebida e ração, além das cascas dos ovos, onde também foram enumeradas enterobactérias. Avaliou-se também a qualidade física dos ovos e procedeu-se à validação de um método para análise de multiresíduos de antimicrobianos e defensivos agrícolas, utilizado para sua quantificação no conteúdo dos ovos das três granjas. No sistema FR foi foram verificadas as maiores contagens de enterobactérias (p < 0,001) e detectada Salmonella em três cascas de ovos e em um comedouro (S. Senftenberg), o patógeno não foi detectado nas outras amostras ambientais, ou de ração e água. Os ovos do sistema FR apresentaram menor peso total, maior espessura de casca e concentração de albúmen. O método multiresíduo se mostrou eficaz na recuperação de todos os compostos, possibilitando a validação da técnica proposta. Foram detectados resíduos de Enrofloxacina em cinco de trinta amostras provenientes do sistema FR, todos eles extrapolaram o LMR de 10μgL-1 estabelecido pelo Ministério da Agricultura Pecuária e ... / Abstract: The livestock production has been modified gradually due to several socio-cultural changes worldwide. Increasing the demand for food produced considering animal welfare. In this context also is laying hen raising. New systems are being proposed to improve the living conditions of laying hens, foremost among them the free range (FR). There are few studies which evaluated the quality and safety of eggs produced in these new environments. Thus was proposed in this study the evaluation of eggs and production environment from three laying hens farms (two under the conventional system of creation and one system in FR), two of them (FR and Conventional 1) located on the same property, which decreased the chances of introducing macroclimate and breeder lines bias. Salmonella was surveyed in the production environment, drinking water and food, and the shells of the eggs, which were also enumerated enterobacteria. It was also evaluated the physical quality of the eggs and proceeded to the validation of a multiresidue method for analysis of pesticides and antibiotics, used for quantifying the content of the eggs of the three farms. In FR the largest system Enterobacteriaceae counts (p <0.001) was detected and Salmonella were found in three eggshells and at one feeder (S. Senftenberg), the pathogen was not detected in other environmental samples, or food and water. The eggs of the FR system had lower weight, greater shell thickness and concentration of albumen. The multiresidue method is effective in the recovery of all compounds, enabling the validation of the proposed technique. Enrofloxacin residues were detected in five out of thirty samples from the RF system, they all have extrapolated the MRL of 10μgL-1 established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. The FR system showed greater vulnerability and sanitary conditions regarding the presence of antimicrobial residues. As regards physical characteristics, they do not confer to ... / Doutor

Submitted by KAREN AFFONSO BEVILAQUA null (karenbevi@hotmail.com) on 2017-01-25T11:37:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO KAREN (revisão 19 01 2017).pdf: 1399071 bytes, checksum: 399b4691c20ff9d7a7ff8bc59ba53ca9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by LUIZA DE MENEZES ROMANETTO (luizamenezes@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-01-26T17:11:14Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 bevilaqua_ka_me_fran.pdf: 1399071 bytes, checksum: 399b4691c20ff9d7a7ff8bc59ba53ca9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-26T17:11:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 bevilaqua_ka_me_fran.pdf: 1399071 bytes, checksum: 399b4691c20ff9d7a7ff8bc59ba53ca9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-27 / A orientação política impressa em nosso texto constitucional, fez com que o Estado brasileiro assumisse diversos compromissos de ordem agraria perante sua população. A Constituição de 1988 propugna pela garantia dos direitos de propriedade em estrita relação com sua função social, isso porque o Estado Democrático de Direito assenta-se num extenso rol de direitos e deveres fundamentais, e na garantia dos meios para a sua efetivação. Este trabalho busca analisar a agricultura familiar, de modo a compreender e nortear soluções aos conflitos suscitados do aparente embate entre uso da terra, conservação da natureza, acréscimo econômico, segurança alimentar e consequentemente a conquista pela cidadania. Para tanto, pretende-se aprofundar no estudo da agricultura familiar, com a finalidade de melhorar a gestão da produção de alimentos de maneira condizente com o pensamento sustentável e a segurança alimentar e nutricional, visando assim prevenir que ocorram danos ambientais e sociais irreversíveis. Na busca pelo desenvolvimento aliado à sustentabilidade, a atuação estatal é essencial promovendo a efetivação de garantias constitucionais, estimulando a agricultura familiar já que é ecologicamente equilibrada, economicamente viável, socialmente justa e culturalmente conveniente. / The guidance printed policy in our constitutional text, has made the State took various commitments to order agraria before his population. The Constitution of 1988 calls for the guarantee of property rights in strict relationship with its social function, that's because the democratic State of law rests in a extensive list of fundamental rights and obligations, and on the means to guarantee their effectiveness. This paper seeks to analyse the family agriculture, in order to understand and guide solutions to conflicts arising from the apparent clash between land use, nature conservation, economic growth, food security and consequently the conquest by citizenship. To this end, we intend to deepen the study of family farming, with the purpose of improving the management of food production in a manner consistent with sustainable thinking and food and nutritional security, in order to prevent irreversible environmental and social damage occur. In the search for development together with sustainability, State action is essential to promoting the implementation of constitutional guarantees, stimulating family farming since it is ecologically balanced, economically viable, socially just and culturally appropriate.

A viticultura é uma atividade de grande importância econômica destacando-se a sustentabilidade da agricultura familiar em diferentes regiões do país. O cultivo da videira no estado do Rio Grande do Sul é de grande importância, sendo responsável pela produção de mais da metade das uvas colhidas no país. A preocupação com uma alimentação saudável vem despertando para a procura por alimentos que ofereçam propriedades que vão além de nutrir, mas ambém que possam proporcionar ao organismo humano, potenciais benefícios à saúde. Acompanhando essa tendência, o consumidor passou a valorizar cada vez mais alimentos produzidos em sistemas de produção que estabeleçam um compromisso com a preservação do meio ambiente e da saúde, como é o caso do cultivo de frutas em sistemas de produção orgânico. A alimentação mais saudável tem estimulado o surgimento de diferentes métodos de produção de alimentos dentre os quais se destaca a produção orgânica. Informações seguras a respeito do conteúdo de compostos bioativos e da capacidade antioxidante de frutas e seus subprodutos são ferramentas importantes em nível de saúde pública, uma vez que o seu consumo amplia a segurança alimentar e nutricional da população. Dentro deste contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivo qualificar e quantificar alguns compostos bioativos de sucos provenientes de Vitis labrusca variedade Bordô produzidos sob diferentes sistemas de produção na Serra Gaúcha. Foi possível verificar diferenças nos compostos fenólicos totais entre sucos de uva da cultivar Bordô sob manejo orgânico, convencional e sem nenhum tipo de tratamento, e também maior quantidade destes nos sucos elaborados com uvas provenientes do sistema orgânico. O composto bioativo resveratrol foi semelhante em todos os sistemas avaliados, e os compostos catequina, epicatequina, ácido cafeico e ácido ferúlico foram superiores no suco de uva extraído sob manejo de produção que não recebeu nenhum tipo de tratamento fitossanitário. / Submitted by cmquadros@ucs.br (cmquadros@ucs.br) on 2018-03-07T14:35:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Tiago Henrique Ferranti.pdf: 514983 bytes, checksum: 5c83648230b00c7781895b6dfe188e92 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-07T14:35:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Tiago Henrique Ferranti.pdf: 514983 bytes, checksum: 5c83648230b00c7781895b6dfe188e92 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-03-07 / Viticulture is an activity of great economic importance, highlighting the sustainability of family farming in different regions of the country. The cultivation of the vine in the state of Rio Grande do Sul has great importance, being responsible for the production of more than half of the grapes harvested in the country. Concerns about a healthier diet have started a search for foods that offer properties that go beyond nourishment, also providing potential health benefits for the human body. Following this trend, the consumer began to value more and more the food grown in production systems that establish a commitment to the preservation of the environment and human health, such as growing fruits in organic production systems. Healthier food has stimulated the emergence of different methods of food production among which organic production stands out. Trustworthy information on the content of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant capacity of fruits and their by-products are important tools at the public health level, since their consumption increases the food and nutritional security of the population. Within this context, this work aimed to qualify and quantify some bioactive compounds of juices from Vitis labrusca (variety Ives Noir) produced under different production systems at the Serra Gaúcha. It was possible to verify differences in the total phenolic compounds between grape juice of the Ives Noir variety under organic management, conventional and without any type of treatment, and also a greater amount of these in the juices elaborated with grapes coming from the organic system. The bioactive compound resveratrol was similar in all evaluated systems, and the compounds catechin, epicatechin, caffeic acid and ferulic acid were superior in grape juice extracted under production management that did not receive any type of phytosanitary treatment.

Submitted by JULIANO DOS SANTOS MIOLA null (julianomiola@yahoo.com.br) on 2017-06-14T20:16:22Z No. of bitstreams: 1 JulianoMiola_PGAD_TUPA_042017.pdf: 2142129 bytes, checksum: c5319b3e0d5025ae0c08175171bd46a7 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luiz Galeffi (luizgaleffi@gmail.com) on 2017-06-19T14:05:57Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 miola_js_me_tupa.pdf: 2142129 bytes, checksum: c5319b3e0d5025ae0c08175171bd46a7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-19T14:05:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 miola_js_me_tupa.pdf: 2142129 bytes, checksum: c5319b3e0d5025ae0c08175171bd46a7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-04-24 / O Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) é um programa governamental na área da alimentação e nutrição que representa um importante eixo de promoção da segurança alimentar. O objetivo do PNAE é prover as necessidades básicas nutricionais dos estudantes e promover o desenvolvimento inclusivo e a capacidade de oferta da agricultura familiar. No entanto, a operacionalização do programa nos municípios ainda é um desafio. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desse trabalho é identificar e descrever os atores e fatores envolvidos no processo de operacionalização do PNAE no município de Presidente Prudente, analisando o desenvolvimento do programa e cumprimento da legislação. Acredita-se que essa pesquisa pode efetivamente dar subsídios e informações para possíveis melhorias na participação dos agricultores familiares no PNAE e auxiliar o município a melhor desenvolver a operacionalização do programa. Esta é uma pesquisa aplicada que utilizou a pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem qualitativa. A pesquisa utilizou a técnica do estudo pesquisa documental e de estudo de caso. A delimitação geográfica foi definida pela importância que o município tem no contexto regional. A Secretaria Municipal de Educação – SEDUC do município de Presidente Prudente, possui a maior rede pública de ensino do Pontal do Paranapanema, com 61 escolas. As entrevistas foram realizadas com diversos agentes que estão ligados diretamente ao programa como: Associações, Cooperativa, Produtores rurais ligados às associações e cooperativa, CATI, Casa da Agricultura e Prefeitura municipal nos seguintes departamentos: Departamento de Alimentação Escolar; de Licitações; Jurídico; e de Finanças. Os resultados mostram que existem insatisfação por parte dos produtores quanto a demora nos trâmites da chamada pública e dos repasses dos recursos, porém, também a possível solução deste problema como relatado nas recomendações desta pesquisa. Foram apontados ainda como os principais problemas: a lentidão no pagamento e/ou na abertura da Chamada Pública; baixa conscientização da educação e segurança alimentar, mesmo sendo realizadas campanhas de educação alimentar nas escolas por diretores(as) de escolas e professores(as); centralização da tomada de decisão quanto ao encaminhamento dos recursos; a dificuldade em agregação de valor por parte dos produtores, entre outros. Assim, há necessidade da articulação local de todos os atores envolvidos no processo de produção, compra e distribuição de alimentos da agricultura familiar para a alimentação escolar na execução do programa. / The National Program for School Food Provision (NPSFP) is a governmental program in the area of food and nutrition that represents an important role on promoting food security. The purpose of the program is to contribute to students’ daily nutrition and to promote local development through acquisition from family farmers. However, the operationalization of the program at municipality level is still a challenge. In this sense, the objective of this research is to identify and describe the actors and factors involved in the program operationalization process in the municipality of Presidente Prudente, by analyzing the program development and the legislation. I believed that this research can effectively provide subsidies and information for possible improvements in the participation of the family farmers in NPSFP and to help the municipality to better develop the operationalization of the program. This applied research used a descriptive research under qualitative approach. The research used the technique of documental research and a case study. The geographical delimitation was defined by the importance that the municipality has in the regional context. The Municipal Department of Education - SEDUC of the municipality of Presidente Prudente, has the largest public education network in Pontal do Paranapanema, with 61 schools. The interviews were carried out with several agents that are directly related to the program as: Associations, Cooperative, farmers linked to associations and cooperative, CATI, Secretary of Agriculture and Municipality actors in the following departments: Department of School Feeding; Public Bidding; Department of Legal Issues; And Department of Finance. The results indicate that there is dissatisfaction on the part of the farmers regarding the delay in the procedures of the public call and the transfer of resources, but also there are possible solutions to this problem as reported as recommendations of this research. The main problems were cited: the delay in the payment and / or the opening of the Public Call; Low education and food security awareness, even though school feeding campaigns are carried out in schools by principals and teachers; centralization of decision making regarding the routing of resources; difficulty in aggregating value by farmers, amongst others. Thus, articulation of local actors involved in the process of production, procurement and distribution of food from family farming is crucial to NPSFP for the efficient execution of the program.

Orientador: Maria Rita Marques de Oliveira / Coorientadora: Vera Mariza Henriques de Miranda Costa / Banca: Luiz Manoel de Mopraes Camargo Almeida / Banca: David Sofiro Barbosa / Banca: Juliana Alvarés Duarte Bonini Campos / Banca: José Giacomo Baccarin / Resumo: Objetivo: identificar potenciais indicadores complementares à percepção da insegurança alimentar e nutricional para o monitoramento de programas sociais de transferência de renda, tomando como referência o Programa Bolsa Família (PBF) em Araraquara/SP. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal incluindo 100 famílias beneficiárias e 50 não beneficiárias do PBF. Com um formulário semiestruturado foram obtidas informações sócio-demográficas e socioeconômicas, de percepção da insegurança alimentar e nutricional (Escala Brasileira de Medida de Insegurança Alimentar - EBIA), o estado nutricional (peso e altura para o Índice de Massa Corporal - IMC) e o padrão de consumo e hábitos alimentares. Associações entre exposições e desfecho foram testadas usando testes Qui-quadrado para variáveis categóricas e ANOVA para variáveis contínuas. A razão de prevalência (r) e intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC) foram avaliados utilizando modelo de Regressão de Poisson. A identificação de padrões alimentares foi realizada usando análise de Cluster e o estudo do poder preditivo de potenciais indicadores à percepção da insegurança alimentar foi avaliada utilizando a Curva ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic). Foram considerados significativos valores p iguais ou menores do que 0,05. Resultados: Foram identificados três padrões alimentares: restrito, saudável e tradicional. O padrão restrito foi associado a um menor grau de escolaridade, relatos de anemia pregressa, percepção da insegurança al... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to identify potential complementary indicators of food and nutrition security for monitoring social program of income transfers, using as a reference the allowance family program (AFP) in Araraquara, SP. Methods: In a cross sectional study design, 100 beneficiary and 50 nonbeneficiary families of the AFP. Social demographic, economic, nutrition status, food consumption, and of food and nutrition security perception (EBIA) was collected using a pre-tested form. The association between exposure and outcome variables was tested using the chi-square test for categorical variables, and the ANOVA for numerical variables. The prevalence ratio (r) and confidence interval of 95% (CI95%) were assessed using the poisson regression model. Food patterns were identified using the cluster analysis and the predictive value of potential indicators of food and nutrition insecurity was tested using the ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curve methodology. P-values below 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Three food patterns were identified: Restrictive, Healthy, and Traditional. The restrictive food pattern was related to a lower education level, reports of prior anemia, food and nutrition insecurity, and higher family age average. In the non-adjusted and in the analysis adjusted for the family average age, families with moderate or severe food and nutrition insecurity were more likely to adhere to a restrictive food pattern (1.55; CI95% 1,00 - 2,42 e 1.... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

abstract: Objectives Through a cross-sectional observational study, this thesis evaluates the relationship between food insecurity and weight status, eating behaviors, the home food environment, meal planning and preparation, and perceived stress as it relates to predominantly Hispanic/Latino parents in Phoenix, Arizona. The purpose of this study was to address gaps in the literature by examining differences in "healthy" and "unhealthy" eating behaviors, foods available in the home, how time and low energy impact meal preparation, and the level of stress between food security groups. Methods Parents, 18 years or older, were recruited during two pre-scheduled health fairs, from English as a second language classes, or from the Women, Infants, and Children's clinic at a local community center, Golden Gate Community Center, in Phoenix, Arizona. An interview, electronic, or paper survey were offered in either Spanish or English to collect data on the variables described above. In addition to the survey, height and weight were collected for all participants to determine BMI and weight status. One hundred and sixty participants were recruited. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models, adjusting for weight status, education, race/ethnicity, income level, and years residing in the U.S., were used to assess the relationship between food security status and weight status, eating behaviors, the home food environment, meal planning and preparation, and perceived stress. Results Results concluded that food insecurity was more prevalent among parents reporting lower income levels compared to higher income levels (p=0.017). In adjusted models, higher perceived cost of fruits (p=0.004) and higher perceived level of stress (p=0.001) were associated with food insecurity. Given that the sample population was predominately women, a post-hoc analysis was completed on women only. In addition to the two significant results noted in the adjusted analyses, the women-only analysis revealed that food insecure mothers reported lower amounts of vegetables served with meals (p=0.019) and higher use of fast-food when tired or running late (p=0.043), compared to food secure mothers. Conclusion Additional studies are needed to further assess differences in stress levels between food insecure parents and food insecure parents, with special consideration for directionality and its relationship to weight status. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Nutrition 2014