The Relationship Between Food Choice and Self-Esteem in Single Mothers in Denver, Colorado

As world population continues to grow and cities become more urbanized, the niche of food planning becomes increasingly important to secure the basic needs of the community. Mothers, including single mothers, typically have a vested interested in the topic as social practices around food and food-related housework fall largely on them. Previous research has studied single mothers and their experiences with poverty, mental and physical health, and work/life balance, but there is no existing literature investigating the relationship between food choice and self-esteem. This study has two purposes: first, to demonstrate the significance and impact of food choice through the perspective of single mothers; and second, to share the lived experiences of single mothers with urban planners to inform an understanding of the attitudes, beliefs, norms, and other psycho-social influences with which they interact with policies. To investigate the relationship, ten single mothers living in Denver, Colorado, were recruited for narrative interviews to capture their lived experiences. Results show a causal relationship between food choice and self-esteem; however, the relationship is complicated by other competing factors, such as housing and transportation. This study is exploratory and provides a foundation for future research.