Appendix 1: USDA/ERS Definitions of Food Security for Households with Children, as Measured by the HFSSM

	USDA Designation up through 2005	USDA Designation and Related Questions from HFSSM Current, since 2006	USDA/ERS Definition	Number of Affirmative Responses to HFFSM
Household Food Security Status	Food secure	Food secure High food security	No reported indications of food-access problems or limitations	0 of 18
	Food secure	Food secure Marginal food security Worried food would run out. Food bought did not last.	Few reported indications—typically of anxiety over food sufficiency or shortage of food in the house. Little or no indication of changes in diets or food intake.	1–2 of 18
	Food insecure Without hunger	Food insecure Low food security Worried food would run out. Food bought did not last. Could not afford balanced meal. Cut size of meal or skipped meal.	Reports of reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet. Little to no indication of reduced food intake.	3–7 of 18
	Food insecure With hunger	Food insecure Very low food security Cut or skipped meal. Ate less than felt should. Hungry but did not eat. Lost weight. Did not eat whole day. Did not eat whole day, 3+ months.	Caregivers report that one or more children in the household lacked adequate, nutritious food at times during the year.	8+ of 18
Child Food Security Status	Child food insecure Without hunger	Food insecurity Low food security among children Children ate only low-variety, low-cost food. Could not feed children balanced meal.	Caregivers reported that children were hungry, skipped a meal, or did not eat for a whole day because there was not enough money for food.	2+ of 8 child-focused questions
	Child food insecure With hunger	Food insecurity Very low food security among children Children not eating enough. Cut size of children’s meals. Children hungry but could not afford food. Children skipped meal. Children did not eat for a whole day.		5+ of 8 child-focused questions