scholarly journals ASSOCIATION BETWEEN FEDERAL FOOD ASSISTANCE AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH AMONG ADULTS WITH FOOD INSECURITY: INSIGHTS FROM THE NHANES 2007-2014

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (11) ◽  
pp. 3630
Author(s):  
Parija Sharedalal ◽  
Neal Shah ◽  
Wilbert Aronow ◽  
Julio Panza ◽  
Howard A. Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Federal Food

scholarly journals Make federal food assistance rights-based

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly D. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Adequate Food ◽  
Federal Food ◽  
Federal Recognition ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Right

AbstractFederal food assistance in the USA is an agglomeration of programs, the legacy of charitable and needs-based approaches that have been in place since the 1930s. Moving toward a rights-based approach would overcome many of the problems of these programs, such as the stigma attached to receiving assistance, the fragmentation of different programs with different eligibilities and the disconnect between monitoring and strategies to reduce food insecurity. Although the USA has not accepted its obligations to respect, protect, promote and fulfill the right to adequate food and nutrition, steps can be taken regardless toward a rights-based approach at the federal, state and municipal levels. With federal recognition of the right to adequate food and nutrition and incorporation within the Nutrition Title, however, a complete reshaping of federal food policy would be possible.

Food Insecurity Is a Common Problem Affecting Dietary Quality in a Clinic-Based Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease Sample

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 8-9
Author(s):  
Cristina R. Fernández ◽  
Maureen Licursi ◽  
Randi Wolf ◽  
Margaret T. Lee ◽  
Nancy S. Green
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
York City ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Emergency Room Visits ◽  
Federal Food ◽  
Daily Frequency

Background: Understanding the effect of food insecurity on diet of children with sickle cell disease (SCD) is necessary to improve child dietary quality and optimize overall health. Objective: To characterize the association between food insecurity and dietary quality of children with SCD. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 100 youth aged 1-20 years with SCD and their parents was conducted from January-June 2018 at a pediatric SCD center at an academic medical center in New York City (NYC). Participating SCD patients were recruited from a convenient clinic-based sample. Food insecurity over the prior year, defined as a disruption in eating patterns due to lack of resources, was reported by adults ≥ 18 years using the validated 18-item U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Security Survey. Dietary quality in the prior 30 days was parent-reported for children <11 years and self-reported for children ≥11 years using a 15-item food frequency questionnaire adapted from the validated Dietary Screener Questionnaire (DSQ).1 Good dietary quality was defined as higher daily intake frequency of fruit, vegetable, protein and dairy and a lower frequency of pizza. Patient characteristics measured included SCD type, transfusion history, emergency room visits, housing hardship (defined as ≥2 moves in the prior year), and enrollment in federal food assistance programs (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the National School Lunch program). Multiple regression models adjusted for a priori covariates associated with food insecurity and nutrition: age, sex, and housing hardship. Results: Of the sample, 55% were male and 50% Caribbean Hispanic (Table). Overall, 85% of children had HbSS, 13% HbSC, and 3% HbSβ0. Mean hemoglobin level was 9.0 ± 1.7 mg/dL, including 11% on chronic transfusion therapy. Participants had a median of 2.2 emergency room visits (interquartile range (IQR): 3) over the prior year. Among families, 80% lived in lower-income neighborhoods in northern Manhattan and the Bronx, 22% had housing hardship and 80% received at least one federal food assistance benefit. Among all families, 30% reported food insecurity. Children with and without food insecurity were not significantly different by age (median (IQR): 14 (7) vs. 10 (10) years, p=0.6), male sex (53% vs. 55%, p=0.9), and housing hardship (13% vs. 24%, p=0.2). Food-insecure children had significantly lower mean daily frequency of fruit (0.5 ±0.2 vs. 0.7 ±0.6, p=0.04) and vegetable intake (0.3 ±0.2 vs. 0.5 ±0.5, p=0.04) compared to those without food insecurity (Figure). Similarly, among the 80% of children receiving federal food assistance, those with food insecurity had lower mean daily frequency of vegetable intake compared to children without food insecurity (0.3 ±0.4 vs. 0.5 ±0.3 respectively, p=0.02). Food insecurity was significantly associated with increased frequency of pizza intake among all children (β=0.2 ±0.1, 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.29). Conclusions: In this clinic-based urban sample of children with SCD, 30% experienced food insecurity and 1 in 5 experienced housing hardship. This was higher than reported NYC-wide food insecurity rate of 13% and the Bronx rate of 26% in 2018.2 Food insecurity was significantly associated with a poorer diet quality - lower mean daily frequency of fruit and vegetable intake, even among those receiving a federal food assistance benefit, and increased frequency of pizza intake. Screening for food insecurity and other health-related social needs in pediatric SCD clinic may identify many families needing assistance for basic food and housing needs, and may inform efforts to improve dietary quality and overall health in these children. This research was conducted due to support from a NIH Loan Repayment Program for Health Disparities Research Award (NIMHD), Dr. Fernández, PI. References: 1) Thompson FE, et al. Performance of a short tool to assess dietary intakes of fruits and vegetables, percentage energy from fat and fibre. Public Health Nutr. 2004;7(8):1097-105. 2) Gibson A, et al. The Uneaten Big Apple: Hunger's High Cost in New York City. Hunger Free America New York City Hunger Report, 2018. Available: https://www.hungerfreeamerica.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/NYC%20and%20NYS%20Hunger%20Report%202018_0.pdf. Accessed August 2, 2020. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Racial, Gender, and Age Dynamics in Michigan’s Urban and Rural Farmers Markets: Reducing Food Insecurity, and the Impacts of a Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 000276422110133
Author(s):  
Dorceta E. Taylor ◽  
Alliyah Lusuegro ◽  
Victoria Loong ◽  
Alexis Cambridge ◽  
Claire Nichols ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
People Of Color ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Assistance Programs ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Nutrition Assistance Programs ◽  
Number Of Customers

In recent decades, the number of farmer’s markets has increased dramatically across the country. Though farmers markets have been described as White spaces, they can play important roles in reducing food insecurity. This is particularly true in Michigan where farmer’s markets were crucial collaborators in pioneering programs such as Double-Up Food Bucks that help low-income residents and people of color gain access to fresh, healthy, locally grown food. This article examines the questions: (1) What are the demographic characteristics of the farmers market managers, vendors, and customers and how do these influence market activities? (2) To what extent do farmers markets participate in programs aimed at reducing food insecurity? (3) To what extent do farmers markets serve low-income residents and people of color? and (4) How has the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) affected the operations of farmers markets. This article discusses the findings of a 2020 study that examined the extent to which Michigan’s farmer’s markets served low-income customers and people of color and participated in food assistance programs. The study examined 79 farmers markets and found that 87.3% of the farmer’s market managers are White. On average, roughly 79% of the vendors of the markets are White and almost 18% are people of color. Most of the vendors in the markets participate in nutrition assistance programs. Market managers estimate that about 76% of their customers are White and about 23% are people of color. Farmers markets operated by people of color attract higher numbers of customers and vendors of color than those operated White market managers. Almost half of the farmer’s markets started operations later than usual in 2020 because of the pandemic. More than a third of the markets reported that their funding declined during the pandemic. Moreover, the number of vendors declined at two thirds of the markets and the number of customers dipped at more than 40% of the markets. On the other hand, the number of people requesting food assistance during the pandemic increased in more than half of the markets.

scholarly journals ‘Sustainable’ Rather Than ‘Subsistence’ Food Assistance Solutions to Food Insecurity: South Australian Recipients’ Perspectives on Traditional and Social Enterprise Models

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 2086 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Booth ◽  
Christina Pollard ◽  
John Coveney ◽  
Ian Goodwin-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Choice ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Enterprise Models ◽  
Food Charity

South Australian (SA) food charity recipients’ perspectives were sought on existing services and ideas for improvement of food assistance models to address food insecurity. Seven focus groups were conducted between October and November 2017 with 54 adults. Thematically analysed data revealed five themes: (1) Emotional cost and consequences of seeking food relief; (2) Dissatisfaction with inaccessible services and inappropriate food; (3) Returning the favour—a desire for reciprocity; (4) Desiring help beyond food; and, (5) “It’s a social thing”, the desire for social interaction and connection. Findings revealed that some aspects of the SA food assistance services were disempowering for recipients. Recipients desired more empowering forms of food assistance that humanise their experience and shift the locus of control and place power back into their hands. Some traditional models, such as provision of supermarket vouchers, empower individuals by fostering autonomy and enabling food choice in socially acceptable ways. Improvement in the quality of existing food assistance models, should focus on recipient informed models which re-dress existing power relations. Services which are more strongly aligned with typical features of social enterprise models were generally favoured over traditional models. Services which are recipient-centred, strive to empower recipients and provide opportunities for active involvement, social connection and broader support were preferred.

Food Insecurity across the Rural-Urban Divide: Are Counties in Need Being Reached by Charitable Food Assistance?

2017 ◽  
Vol 672 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Gundersen ◽  
Adam Dewey ◽  
Monica Hake ◽  
Emily Engelhard ◽  
Amy S. Crumbaugh
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
National Level ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Extensive Literature

An extensive literature has described U.S. food insecurity and its determinants, but there has been little work on the geographic distribution of food insecurity and no work on the distribution of private food assistance by geography. To study the former, we use data from the Map the Meal Gap (MMG) project, which is broken down by Rural-Urban Continuum Codes. For the latter, we combine MMG data with data from the Hunger in America 2014 (HIA 2014) survey to determine the geographic distribution of charitable food assistance. At the national level, we find few differences across the rural-urban interface, but we do find differences within and across regions. We also find that regardless of how it is measured, the distribution of charitable food assistance is directed more toward counties with smaller populations—a finding that holds even after controlling for factors that influence the distribution of charitable assistance.

scholarly journals An Embedded Multiple Case Study: Facilitating Uptake of Food Insecurity Screening Initiatives in Low Resource Primary Care Settings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabira Taher ◽  
Naoko Muramatsu ◽  
Angela Odoms-Young ◽  
Nadine Peacock ◽  
Michael C. Fagen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Implementation Barriers ◽  
Program Fidelity ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Multiple Case

Abstract Background Food insecurity (FI), limited access to healthy food, is a social determinant of health linked to poor dietary health and difficulty with disease management. Healthcare experts support the adoption of validated screening tools within primary care clinics to identify and connect FI patients to food resources. Yet, a lack of standard practices limits uptake. The purpose of this study was to understand program processes and outcomes of primary care focused FI screening initiatives that can guide wide-scale program implementation. Methods This was an embedded multiple case study of two primary care-focused initiatives implemented in two diverse health systems in Chicago and Suburban Cook County that routinely screened patients for FI and referred them to onsite food assistance programs. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and an iterative process were used to collect/analyze qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with N = 19 clinical staff. Intended program activities, outcomes, actors, implementation barriers/facilitators and overarching implementation themes were identified as a part of a cross-case analysis. Findings: Programs outcomes included: the number of patients screened and identified as FI; the number of patients referred to and participated in the onsite food assistance program. Overall, neither case achieved intended reach or participation. Limited financial, human and infrastructure support were implementation barriers. Existing community collaborations and clinic-level autonomy were critical facilitators during implementation that contributed to the flexibility of program activities. Programs were tailored to each context to assist in implementation feasibility, but contributed to low program fidelity. Conclusions Programs were highly adaptable and each context enhanced implementation feasibility across settings. These characteristics have the potential to support program uptake in other settings, but should be used with caution to preserve program fidelity and to achieve intended outcomes. A foundational model for the development and testing of standard clinical practice was the product of this study.

scholarly journals Cardiovascular Health, Adiposity, and Food Insecurity in an Underserved Population

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Candice A. Myers ◽  
Corby K. Martin ◽  
Robert L. Newton ◽  
John W. Apolzan ◽  
Connie L. Arnold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
Heart Association ◽  
Interaction Terms ◽  
Low Health Literacy ◽  
Underserved Patients ◽  
Race And Health

This study investigated associations between cardiovascular health (CVH), adiposity, and food insecurity by race, sex, and health literacy in a sample of 800 underserved patients with obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2). CVH was assessed using American Heart Association Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) and adiposity was estimated using BMI and waist circumference (WC). Mixed models including interaction terms between food insecurity and sex, race, and health literacy were analyzed for LS7, BMI, and WC. Stratified models were analyzed as indicated by significant interactions. Mean BMI and WC were 37.3 kg/m2 (4.6 SD) and 113.5 cm (12.4 SD), respectively. Among patients, 31% were food insecure and 31% had low health literacy. There were significant positive associations between food insecurity and BMI (p = 0.03) and WC (p = 0.03) in the overall sample. In sex-stratified models, women who were food insecure had higher BMI (p = 0.02) and WC (p = 0.007) than their food secure counterparts. Further, food insecure patients with better health literacy had greater BMI (p = 0.004) and WC (p = 0.007) than their food secure counterparts. Results suggest that adiposity is a greater burden in food insecure patients, which may be an important consideration for obesity treatment in underserved populations.

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