scholarly journals Food Insecurity Prevalence and Correlates in a Diverse Urban College Student Population (P04-054-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunitha Jasti ◽  
Melissa Owens
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Security Level ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Commuter College

Abstract Objectives To estimate the prevalence of food insecurity and to examine its correlates among students at an urban commuter-college. Methods Cross-sectional survey of 450 students enrolled at an urban commuter-college. Chi-square test was used to assess differences in socio-demographics characteristics, overweight/obesity status, fruit and vegetable consumption and perceived stress by food security level. Results Among students surveyed, 25.6% were food insecure with 12.2% having low food security and 13.3% having very low food security. The rate of food insecurity was significantly higher in black (55.6%) and Hispanic (52.7%) students compared to white (17.7%) and Asian (28.2%) students (P < 0.01). Older students (25–40 y) were also more likely to be food insecure than younger (≤ 25 y) students (42.5% vs. 28.1%; P = 0.02). There were no significant differences in fruit and vegetable consumption, overweight/obese status or perceived stress among food secure and food insecure students. Conclusions Food insecurity was found to be a prevalent problem in this sample, particularly in older, Black and Hispanic students. Colleges and universities must provide options and resources for low-income students to help increase access to and affordability of nutritious foods. Funding Sources “This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number ____________. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”

scholarly journals The Implications of Food Insecurity at a HBCU (P04-086-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Thompson ◽  
Chimene Castor ◽  
Rajae Gayle ◽  
Allan Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Black College ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Housing Status ◽  
Food Security Status

Abstract Objectives The objectives of the study were: 1) to determine whether there is food insecurity among matriculating students attending a Historically Black College/University (HBCU), 2) to investigate the associations between food security status and the demographic characteristics (gender, classification, housing status) of students, 3) to examine the relationship of food security status to the consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV), 4) to investigate the association of student food security status with overweight/obesity, and 5) to assess fast food consumption among food insecure students. Methods Five hundred Seventy undergrad and graduate students were recruited to participate in an online survey. The survey was voluntary and anonymous. Data were collected via a 20-item survey using Qualtrics, an online software program that allows its users to create and distribute survey instruments. The main survey questions were derived the Six-item United States Department of Agriculture-Adult Food Security Survey Module (USDA-AFSSM). The survey also included questions which measured: height and weight, daily fruit and vegetable consumption, fast food purchases and potential food pantry utilization. The remaining questions in the survey determined demographic characteristics which included gender, class, meal plan, and housing status. Results Data indicated 77.7% (405) of the sample had experienced some level of food insecurity over the last 12 months, whereas 116 (22.2%) were determined to be food secure. The prevalence of the four categories of food security status is shown in Figure 1. Food insecure students were significantly more likely to purchase fast foods two or more times a week and had significantly lower mean fruit and vegetable intakes than food secure students. Sophomores were least likely to be food secure (11.1%), while graduate/professional students were most likely to be food secure (37.6%). Students living on campus were found to be more likely to be food insecure. Conclusions The present study provides evidence of significant food insecurity. More fast food and decreased fruit and vegetable consumption was found among the food insecure vs food secure. Food security on college campuses bears further investigation. Funding Sources Howard University. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

scholarly journals Impact of a Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program on Health Outcomes and Behaviors in Young Navajo Children

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandra J Jones ◽  
Joan VanWassenhove-Paetzold ◽  
Kymie Thomas ◽  
Carolyn Bancroft ◽  
E Quinn Ziatyk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Program Completion ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
And Behaviors

ABSTRACT Background Rates of childhood obesity are higher in American Indian and Alaska Native populations, and food insecurity plays a major role in diet-related disparities. To address this need, local healthcare providers and a local nonprofit launched the Navajo Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx) Program in 2015. Children up to 6 y of age and their caregivers are enrolled in the 6-mo program by healthcare providers. Families attend monthly health coaching sessions where they receive vouchers redeemable for fruits, vegetables, and healthy traditional foods at retailers participating in the FVRx program. Objectives We assessed the impact of a fruit and vegetable prescription program on the health outcomes and behaviors of participating children. Methods Caregivers completed voluntary surveys to assess food security, fruit and vegetable consumption, hours of sleep, and minutes of physical activity; healthcare providers also measured children's body mass index [BMI (kg/m2)] z score at initiation and completion of the program. We calculated changes in health behaviors, BMI, and food security at the end of the program, compared with baseline values. Results A total of 243 Navajo children enrolled in Navajo FVRx between May 2015 and September 2018. Fruit and vegetable consumption significantly increased from 5.2 to 6.8 servings per day between initiation and program completion (P &lt; 0.001). The proportion of participant households reporting food insecurity significantly decreased from 82% to 65% (P &lt; 0.001). Among children classified as overweight or obese at baseline, 38% achieved a healthy BMI z score at program completion (P &lt; 0.001). Sixty-five percent of children were retained in the program. Conclusions The Navajo FVRx program improves fruit and vegetable consumption among young children. Children who are obese or overweight may benefit most from the program.

Double Up Food Bucks Participation is Associated with Increased Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Food Security Among Low-Income Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie M. Durward ◽  
Mateja Savoie-Roskos ◽  
Abiodun Atoloye ◽  
Patrice Isabella ◽  
Melanie D. Jewkes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable

scholarly journals NP19 A Supermarket Intervention to Promote Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Low-Income Families

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. S18-S19
Author(s):  
Michele Polacsek ◽  
Alyssa Moran ◽  
Anne Thorndike ◽  
Rebecca Franckle ◽  
Rebecca Boulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Low Income Families

scholarly journals Healthy eating: a matter of prioritisation by households or policymakers?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Joreintje Dingena Mackenbach
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Food System ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Abstract I reflect upon the potential reasons why American low-income households do not spend an optimal proportion of their food budgets on fruits and vegetables, even though this would allow them to meet the recommended levels of fruit and vegetable consumption. Other priorities than health, automatic decision-making processes and access to healthy foods play a role, but solutions for the persistent socio-economic inequalities in diet should be sought in the wider food system which promotes cheap, mass-produced foods. I argue that, ultimately, healthy eating is not a matter of prioritisation by individual households but by policymakers.

scholarly journals Global assessment of select phytonutrient intakes by level of fruit and vegetable consumption

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (6) ◽  
pp. 1004-1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary M. Murphy ◽  
Leila M. Barraj ◽  
Judith H. Spungen ◽  
Dena R. Herman ◽  
R. Keith Randolph
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
World Health ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Concentration Data ◽  
World Health Survey ◽  
The Mean

Despite dietary recommendations that have repeatedly underscored the importance of increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables, intakes worldwide are lower than recommended levels. Consequently, the diets of many individuals may be lacking in nutrients and phytonutrients typical of a diet rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables. In the present study, we estimated phytonutrient intakes by adults categorised by sex, level of fruit and vegetable consumption ( < 5v.≥ 5 servings/d), and geographic diet cluster. Intakes of nine select phytonutrients were estimated from the 2002–4 World Health Survey fruit and vegetable servings intake data (n198 637), the FAO supply utilisation accounts data, and phytonutrient concentration data obtained from the US Department of Agriculture databases and the published literature. Percentage contributions to each phytonutrient intake from fruit and vegetable sources were also estimated. Estimated intakes of phytonutrients from fruits and vegetables varied across the thirteen geographic diet clusters, reflecting regional differences in both numbers and proportions of fruit and vegetable servings consumed, and the specific types of fruits and vegetables available in the diet. The mean phytonutrient intakes by adults consuming ≥ 5 servings/d of fruits and vegetables were approximately 2- to 6-fold the mean phytonutrient intakes by adults with low fruit and vegetable consumption ( < 5 servings/d). In some cases, phytonutrient intakes by adults consuming ≥ 5 servings/d of fruits and vegetables in one geographic diet cluster were lower than the intakes by adults reporting < 5 servings/d in another cluster. The findings from this assessment provide important information regarding the major dietary patterns of phytonutrient intakes across geographic diet clusters.

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