Identifying a Fine Line between Food Insecurity and Food Acquisition Stress: A Mixed Methods Exploration.

This study introduces the concept of Food Acquisition Stress (FAS), stress associated with food acquisition among those who do not necessarily screen positive for food insecurity.. This study used an exploratory sequential mixed methods approach among a sample of predominantly early childhood educators to develop a 7-item tool for measuring current and retrospective FAS. Using this tool, we identified that 61% of individuals who had FAS did not meet criteria for food insecurity. Capturing FAS, even among those categorized as food secure, has the potential to identify individuals who may need supportive interventions. Future research can explore how FAS is related to health behaviors.