Food insecurity, nutrition knowledge, and cooking skills are barriers to healthy eating among food pantry users

This study aimed to measure the influence of the Chefs in Action program (3 cooking workshops) on cooking skills, nutrition knowledge, and attitudes towards healthy eating in children attending summer day camps and compare it with a single cooking workshop. Groups of children (8–12 years) were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 25) or to 1 of 3 comparison groups performing a single workshop (group 1, n = 16; group 2, n = 36; group 3, n = 24). Two dietitians evaluated cooking skills during the workshops. Nutrition knowledge and attitudes towards healthy eating were assessed before and after the intervention. No improvement in cooking skills was observed in the intervention group (P = 0.25). The intervention group’s cooking skills score was significantly higher than comparison group 1 (P < 0.001). Nutrition knowledge was significantly improved in the intervention group and the comparison group 3 (P < 0.0001) but no effect on attitudes towards healthy eating was observed (Pgroup × time = 0.36). In conclusion, the Chefs in Action program positively impacted nutrition knowledge in children. The results also suggest that the type of recipe may influence nutrition knowledge and cooking skills. Further studies are needed to better assess the degree of difficulty required in cooking workshop recipes to improve cooking skills in children.

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Exploring the needs and perceptions regarding healthy eating among people at risk of food insecurity: a qualitative analysis

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120005030 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Laura van der Velde ◽

Linde Schuilenburg ◽

Jyothi Thrivikraman ◽

Mattijs Numans ◽

Jessica Kiefte-de Jong

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Nutrition Knowledge ◽

Healthy Food ◽

Healthy Foods ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Healthy Eating Behaviors

AbstractIntroductionHealthy eating behaviors are essential determinants of overall health. These behaviors are generally poor among people at risk of experiencing food insecurity, which may be caused by many factors including perceived higher costs of healthy foods, financial stress, inadequate nutrition knowledge, and inadequate skills required for healthy food preparation. Few studies have examined how these factors influence eating behaviors among people at risk of experiencing food insecurity. We therefore aimed to gain a better understanding of the needs and perceptions regarding healthy eating in this target group.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative open interview study with 10 participants at risk of experiencing food insecurity. Thematic analysis identified four core themes on factors influencing healthy eating behaviors: (1) health related topics, influences on eating behaviors by both the (2) social and (3) physical environment, and (4) financial influences on eating behaviors.ResultsOverall, participants showed adequate nutrition knowledge. However, eating behaviors were strongly influenced by both social environmental factors (e.g. child food preferences and cultural food habits), and physical environmental factors (e.g. temptations in the local food environment). Perceived barriers for healthy eating behaviors included poor mental health, financial stress, and high prices of healthy foods. Participants had a generally positive and conscious attitude towards their financial situation, among others reflected in their strategies to cope with a limited budget. Food insecurity was mostly mentioned in reference to the past or to others and not to participants’ own current experiences. Participants were familiar with several existing resources to reduce food-related financial strain and generally had a positive attitude towards these resources. An exception was the Food Bank, which was highly criticized on its food parcel content. Proposed new resources included distributing free meals, facilitating social contacts, increasing healthy food supply in the neighborhood, and lowering prices of healthy foods.ConclusionThe insights from this study increase understanding of factors influencing healthy eating behaviors of people at risk of food insecurity. Therefore, this study could inform future development of potential interventions aiming at helping people at risk of experiencing food insecurity to improve healthy eating, thereby decreasing the risk of diet-related diseases.

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Predictors of Diet Quality as Measured by Malaysian Healthy Eating Index among Aboriginal Women (Mah Meri) in Malaysia

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11010135 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 135 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Su Chong ◽

Geeta Appannah ◽

Norhasmah Sulaiman

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Household Income ◽

Nutrition Knowledge ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Face To Face ◽

Aboriginal Women ◽

Food Security Status

Socioeconomic status and nutrition knowledge are the determining factors of food choices. However, their relationship with diet quality is ambiguous among aboriginal women in Malaysia. Henceforth, the objective of this study was to examine diet quality and its predictors among the aboriginal women from the Mah Meri ethnic group in Malaysia. Data on socioeconomic characteristics, nutrition knowledge, and 24-h dietary recalls were obtained through face-to-face interviews with the respondents. Household food insecurity was assessed using Radimer/Cornell Hunger and Food Insecurity Instrument. The Malaysian Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was used to measure the diet quality of this population. The overall diet quality of the respondents was poor, with a mean Malaysian HEI score of 45.3%. Household income (r = 0.242, p < 0.001) and nutrition knowledge (r = 0.150, p < 0.05) were positively correlated with diet quality. More importantly, the predictors of diet quality were marital status (β = 0.181, p < 0.01), household income (β = 0.237, p < 0.001), food security status (β = −0.151, p < 0.01), and fat intake (β = −0.438, p < 0.001). Women being married and those with higher household income was associated with a better diet quality among Malaysian aborigines.

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Acquisition of Cooking Skills and Associations With Healthy Eating in Swiss Adults

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior ◽

10.1016/j.jneb.2019.12.016 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 52 (5) ◽

pp. 483-491 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Désirée Hagmann ◽

Michael Siegrist ◽

Christina Hartmann

Keyword(s):

Healthy Eating ◽

Cooking Skills

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Pilot testing an intervention to educate and promote nutritious choices at food pantries

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1007/s10389-021-01570-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah L. McKee ◽

Eminet Abebe Gurganus ◽

Abiodun T. Atoloye ◽

Ran Xu ◽

Katie Martin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Food System ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Comparison Study ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Food Pantry ◽

Food Pantries ◽

Client Choice ◽

The Impact

Abstract Aim This study aimed to assess the impact of the Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP) system on client food selections at a food pantry. Subject and methods In a pre–post comparison study design, a client-choice food pantry implemented SWAP by reorganizing its inventory to promote healthy options. Each product was ranked as “choose often” (green), “sometimes” (yellow), or “rarely” (red) based on saturated fat, sodium, and sugar. Signage was added to indicate each item’s SWAP rank and healthier foods were placed at eye level. Client food baskets were assessed at time 1 (n = 121) and time 2 (n = 101). The proportions of green and red foods selected were compared using regression analyses. Results The regression analyses showed that the proportion of green foods selected by clients increased by 11% (p < 0.001) and the proportion of red foods selected decreased by 7% (p < 0.001) after SWAP was implemented (n = 222). Conclusions SWAP has the potential to positively shift client choices among the items available in a food pantry setting. SWAP is one component of a suite of changes to the charitable food system that have the potential to alleviate food insecurity, improve diet quality, and assist clients in managing diet-related diseases.

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Food insecurity among Finnish private sector service workers and food pantry clients

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.1019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

M Erkkola ◽

L Uusitalo ◽

K Puputti ◽

T Saari ◽

P Jallinoja ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Private Sector ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Low Income ◽

Perceived Health ◽

Resource Scarcity ◽

Considerable Proportion ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Service Workers ◽

Food Pantry ◽

Sector Service

Abstract Background There is a paucity of comparable quantitative data on the prevalence and predictors of food insecurity in high-income countries. We applied the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) to assess food insecurity among i) the Service Union United members; female-dominated, low-income employees of the Finnish private service sector, and ii) a convenience sample of Finnish food pantry clients. Methods The HFIAS classification was based on 9 validated questions capturing respondents' perceptions on food scarcity and behavioural responses to food insecurity due to lack of resources during the past month. The resulting indicator categorized respondents as food secure, and mildly, moderately and severely food insecure. We performed cross-tabulations and regression models to assess if education, housing, self-perceived health, income, and resource scarcity associated with levels of food insecurity. In addition, gender, age, and self-perceived disadvantage were assessed among the food pantry clients. Results Among the service workers (n = 6 573, 6% of those invited), 35% were food secure, 29% mildly or moderately food insecure, and 36% severely food insecure. The respective proportions were 28%, 26%, and 46% among the 129 food pantry clients. All assessed variables were associated to food insecurity status in the service workers (p < 0.01 for all). Among the food pantry clients, men (OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.09 − 4.80) and homeless/tenants in community rental units (OR 7.12; 95% CI 2.42 − 20.95) were most likely to experience severe food insecurity. Conclusions Alongside the food pantry clients the majority of the service workers demonstrated some degree of food insecurity, with a considerable proportion being severely food-insecure. This predominantly low-income group is subject to rapid changes in the labour market and social security systems. The data demonstrated that well-known SES indicators and self-perceived health are linked to food insecurity. Key messages Severe food insecurity was common among predominantly low-income private sector service workers and food pantry clients. Food insecurity is linked to SES indicators and wellbeing.

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Social health and nutrition impacts of community kitchens: a systematic review

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980012002753 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 535-543 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Marina Iacovou ◽

Deanna C Pattieson ◽

Helen Truby ◽

Claire Palermo

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Social Interactions ◽

Evidence Synthesis ◽

Nutritional Intake ◽

Cooking Skills ◽

Nutritional Health ◽

Community Kitchens ◽

The Impact

AbstractObjectiveCommunity kitchens have been implemented by communities as a public health strategy to prevent food insecurity through reducing social isolation, improving food and cooking skills and empowering participants. The aim of the present paper was to investigate whether community kitchens can improve the social and nutritional health of participants and their families.DesignA systematic review of the literature was conducted including searches of seven databases with no date limitations.SettingCommunity kitchens internationally.SubjectsParticipants of community kitchens across the world.ResultsTen studies (eight qualitative studies, one mixed-method study and one cross-sectional study) were selected for inclusion. Evidence synthesis suggested that community kitchens may be an effective strategy to improve participants’ cooking skills, social interactions and nutritional intake. Community kitchens may also play a role in improving participants’ budgeting skills and address some concerns around food insecurity. Long-term solutions are required to address income-related food insecurity.ConclusionsCommunity kitchens may improve social interactions and nutritional intake of participants and their families. More rigorous research methods, for both qualitative and quantitative studies, are required to effectively assess the impact of community kitchens on social and nutritional health in order to confidently recommend them as a strategy in evidence-based public health practice.

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The Effect on Children’s Attitudes Towards Food Associated With Their Non-Cognitive Skills, and With the Nutrition Knowledge of Their Parents

Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology ◽

10.5539/jedp.v8n2p54 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 54

Author(s):

Tomoko Osera ◽

Nobuko Taniguchi ◽

Hiroko Hashimoto ◽

Nobutaka Kurihara

Keyword(s):

Healthy Eating ◽

Cognitive Skills ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Great Influence ◽

Parental Knowledge ◽

Nutrition Knowledge ◽

Kindergarten Children ◽

Knowledge Level ◽

Food Groups ◽

Exact Test

Early childhood is the most important time for establishing healthy eating habits, and of course during this period a mother can have a great influence in this regard. In this study explored what major factors influence the development children’s food habits and whether the level of nutrition knowledge of parents has a material impact. This study involved 219 students (age renge, 3–5 years) and their parents in Osaka prefecture in Japan. Mothers were administered questionnaires that contained uestions pertaining to lifestyle, unidentifiable description of the children and their guardian’s SRH along with 39 questions to assess the food-related habits and attitudes. The correlates of the nutrition-related knowledge level of mothers and the children’s concern and respect for healthy eating were assessed using the Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and the Mann-Whitney U test. The differences between high and low amount of parental knowledge and high and low non-cognitive skills towards food groups were also examined. Completed questionnaires were returned by 219 of the participants. Among the respondents, 50.7% were male, and 92.2% of the parents indicated that they get nutrition information from the Internet. We remarkably found that the level of mother’s knowledge about nutrition had no statistically significant influence on how the children in this study understood food. However, chilren’s concern and respect for food were significantly associated with their participation in various aspects of food preparation (help with washing and cooking of food) and presentation (help with setting up the table) (P < 0.05, Mann–Whitney U test). Participation of Japanese kindergarten children in such activities was significantly associated with high level of food-related non-cognitive skills. Of note, the nutrition-related knowledge level of the mother showed no significant association with the attitude of their children towasds food.

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Nutrition Knowledge is Correlated with a Better Dietary Intake in Adolescent Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1155/2020/3519781 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Danilo C. Noronha ◽

Monique I. A. F. Santos ◽

Adrianny A. Santos ◽

Lizia G. A. Corrente ◽

Rúbia K. N. Fernandes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dietary Intake ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Sodium Intake ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Nutrition Knowledge ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Cross Sectional

Nutrition education is one of the factors that may help to promote behavior change and therefore may improve the dietary habits of adolescent soccer players. However, information about the relationship between nutrition knowledge (NK) and the dietary behavior of these athletes is scarce. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the eating habits of adolescent soccer players and analyse the correlations among dietary intake and NK. Seventy-three Brazilian adolescent soccer players (aged 14–19 years), from four professional clubs, underwent anthropometric evaluation and completed 3-day food records. Misreporting of energy intake was evaluated and the dietary intake data were energy-adjusted and compared with recommendations for athletes and dietary reference intakes. The athletes also answered a questionnaire about barriers for healthy eating and a nutrition knowledge test divided into three sections: Basic Nutrition Knowledge (BNK), Sports Nutrition Knowledge (SNK), and Food Pyramid Nutrition Knowledge (FPNK). The participants showed a low NK (54.6%) and an inadequate intake of fruits, vegetables, dairy, carbohydrates, and micronutrients. A positive correlation was found between the ingestion of phosphorus and FPNK as well as among calcium and both SNK and Total NK (p<0.05). Sodium intake was negatively correlated with all categories of the NK test (p<0.05). The adolescents reported that the principal barriers for adopting a healthy diet were the lack of willpower and a busy lifestyle. In this context, nutrition education is recommended and should also provide practicable healthy eating goals according to athletes´ lifestyle as well as target motivational barriers to increase adherence.

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