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.

Are You Getting Enough to Eat? Addressing Food Insecurity in Rehabilitation Clients

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 224-234
Author(s):  
Allison R. Fleming ◽  
Brian N. Phillips ◽  
Jennifer L. Hanna
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Rehabilitation Counseling ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Bachelor's Degree ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Life Outcomes ◽  
Reported Health ◽  
The Relationship

Food insecurity is a well-known risk factor for poor health and quality-of-life outcomes. Recent explorations of census data have concluded that it is experienced disproportionately by individuals with disabilities, making it an important area of focus for rehabilitation counseling and research. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between food insecurity and work barriers and intrapersonal characteristics that are often the focus of rehabilitation counseling. Findings from a national sample of adults with disabilities ( N = 435) reveal that individuals with less than a bachelor’s degree or in a household earning less than $40,000 per year were more likely to report high food insecurity. In addition, food insecurity correlated with unfavorable outcomes in measures of self-reported health, depression, social support, acceptance of chronic illness and disability (CID), and vocational self-efficacy. Implications are presented for increasing attention to the issue of food insecurity within the context of rehabilitation counseling practice and research, including strategies for augmenting services to include food assistance in a way that is sensitive to the experience of individuals with significant resource gaps.

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 One Song, Many Voices: Dementia and The Power of Music

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 775-775
Author(s):  
Debra Sheets ◽  
Stuart MacDonald ◽  
Andre Smith
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
School Students ◽  
Choral Singing ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Care Partners

Abstract Choral singing is a novel approach to reduce dementia stigma and social isolation while offering participants a sense of purpose, joy and social connection. The pervasiveness of stigma surrounding dementia remains one of the biggest barriers to living life with dignity following a diagnosis (Alzheimer Society of Canada, 2018). This paper examines how a social inclusion model of dementia care involving an intergenerational choir for people living with dementia, their care partners and high school students can reduce stigma and foster social connections. Multiple methodologies are used to investigate the effects of choir participation on cognition, stress levels, social connections, stigma, and quality of life. Results demonstrate the positive impact of choir participation and indicate that this socially inclusive intervention offers an effective, non-pharmacological alternative for older adults living with dementia in the community. Discussion focuses on the importance of instituting meaningful and engaging dementia-friendly activities at the community level.

Understanding the Experiences of Elderly Bereaved Men and the Bond With Their Pets

2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282110048
Author(s):  
Monique C. Thompson, PsyD ◽  
Angela B. Kim, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Method ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
New Normal ◽  
Purposeful Sampling ◽  
Older Males

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the bereaved Older males’ experiences with the interaction and ownership of a companion animal after the death of their partner. The primary researcher recruited 13 participants via a criterion-based purposeful sampling method to assure the quality of the information collected. Results revealed six themes: (a) bonds with their pets grew stronger and closer after the loss of their wife; (b) men were able to express their grief to their pets; (c) companion animals helped the men psychologically during grief; (d) pets were influential during times when the wife’s presence would have been valuable; (e) companion animals helped men with loneliness and social connection; and (f) companion animals helped men find a new normal by providing a purpose and routine during bereavement. The pets proved to be a source of support for these widowed men.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with Financial Security, Food Security and Quality of Daily Lives of Residents in Nigeria during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7925
Author(s):  
Morenike Oluwatoyin Folayan ◽  
Olanrewaju Ibigbami ◽  
Maha El Tantawi ◽  
Brandon Brown ◽  
Nourhan M. Aly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
Factors Associated

An online survey was conducted to identify factors associated with financial insecurity, food insecurity and poor quality of daily lives of adults in Nigeria during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The associations between the outcome (experience of financial loss, changes in food intake and impact of the pandemic on daily lives) and the explanatory (age, sex, education level, anxiety, depression, HIV status) variables were determined using logistic regression analysis. Of the 4439 respondents, 2487 (56.0%) were financially insecure, 907 (20.4%) decreased food intake and 4029 (90.8%) had their daily life negatively impacted. Males (AOR:0.84), people who felt depressed (AOR:0.62) and people living with HIV -PLHIV- (AOR:0.70) had significantly lower odds of financial insecurity. Older respondents (AOR:1.01) had significantly higher odds of financial insecurity. Those depressed (AOR:0.62) and PLHIV (AOR:0.55) had significantly lower odds of reporting decreased food intake. Respondents who felt anxious (AOR:0.07), depressed (AOR: 0.48) and who were PLHIV (AOR:0.68) had significantly lower odds of reporting a negative impact of the pandemic on their daily lives. We concluded the study findings may reflect a complex relationship between financial insecurity, food insecurity, poor quality of life, mental health, and socioeconomic status of adults living in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Three Social Classroom Applications to Improve Student Attitudes

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alf Inge Wang ◽  
Aleksander Aanesl. Elvemo ◽  
Vegard Gamnes
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Software Architecture ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Difficulty Level ◽  
Technical Quality ◽  
Digital Devices ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
The Difference

The paper presents results of a quasiexperiment where the three social classroom applications Post-It, WordCloud, and Categorizer were used in software architecture lectures. Post-It and WordCloud are applications that allow students to brainstorm or give comments related to a given topic. Categorizer is a puzzle game where the students are asked to place a number of terms in one of two correct categories. The three applications are multimodal HTML5 applications that enable students to interact in a classroom using their own digital devices, and the teacher’s laptop is used to display progress and results on the large screen. The focus of this study was to evaluate how the difference of these applications and how their integration into the lecture affected the students’ motivation, engagement, thinking, activity level, social interaction, creativity, enjoyment, attention, and learning. In addition, the study evaluated the usability and the technical quality of the applications. The results of the experiment show that the way such applications are integrated into a lecture highly affects the students’ attitude. The experiment also showed that the game-based application was on average better received among the students and that the students’ attitude was highly sensitive to the difficulty level of the game.

scholarly journals Persistent effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on diet, exercise, risk for food insecurity, and quality of life: A longitudinal study among U.S. adults

Appetite ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 105639
Author(s):  
Alexandra M. Rogers ◽  
Brianna N. Lauren ◽  
Jennifer A. Woo-Baidal ◽  
Elissa M. Ozanne ◽  
Chin Hur
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Food Insecurity

Comparison of the effects of the food supplementation programmes of ICDS centers and primary schools at Bali Gram Panchayat, Arambagh, West Bengal, India

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 232-246
Author(s):  
Gopal Chandra Mandal ◽  
Kaushik Bose ◽  
Slawomir Koziel
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
West Bengal ◽  
Food Supplementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Quality Of Food ◽  
The Government ◽  
Better Than

Purpose – Developing countries like India, accounts for about 40 percent of undernourished children in the World and it is largely due to the result of dietary inadequacy in relation to their needs. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the changes in the nutritional status of the children, from their preschool days to the present primary school days. Design/methodology/approach – The present investigation was conducted at 20 Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) centers (Center-A) and 15 primary schools (Center-B) in Bali Gram Panchayat, Arambag, Hooghly District of West Bengal, India, at an interval of three to four years. A total of 1,012 children (boys=498; girls=514) aged two to six years old enrolled in these ICDS centers and a total of 603 children (boys=300, girls=303), aged five to ten years were studied from the 15 primary schools who were the beneficiaries of ICDS centers. Underweight (weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ)) and wasting (weight-for height Z-score (WHZ)) were used to assess the nutritional status. Findings – The nutritional situation (both in case of underweight and wasting) was better in Center B as compared with Center A. In general, the nutritional condition of boys was better than girls. Center had a very significant effect on both WAZ as well as WHZ, irrespective of age and sex. Sex has a significant impact only on WAZ. Interestingly, there was no significant sex-center interaction for both WAZ as well as WHZ. The children of the area were getting Mid Day Meal supplied through the school authorities which was comparatively better than the ICDS centers’ food supplementation. Better monitoring of nutritional supplementation at primary schools may be an important factor. Practical implications – In ICDS centers, only the Anganwari worker is responsible in running and implementing the programs offered by the Government. However, at primary schools, the active involvement of all the teachers to run the program may have effectively led to have better results. Furthermore, the Government's focus should not be only on the increase the area covered by the ICDS program, but focus should be to increase the quality of food supplied, proper monitoring of the implementation and increase the allocation of funds. Appropriate measures may be taken by the authorities regarding this. Originality/value – The results of the study will help in policy making in reducing the prevalence of undernutrition.

scholarly journals A nudge in the right direction: the role of food choice architecture in changing populations' diets

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
H. Ensaff
Keyword(s):  
Food Choice ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Food Selection ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Choice Architecture ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
The Right ◽  
Care Costs

Populations' diets typically fall short of recommendations. The implication of this on ill health and quality of life is well established, as are the subsequent health care costs. An area of growing interest within public health nutrition is food choice architecture; how a food choice is framed and its influence on subsequent food selection. In particular, there is an appeal to manipulating the choice architecture in order to nudge individuals' food choice. This review outlines the current understanding of food choice architecture, theoretical background to nudging and the evidence on the effectiveness of nudge strategies, as well as their design and implementation. Interventions emphasising the role of nudge strategies have investigated changes to the accessibility, availability and presentation of food and the use of prompts. Empirical studies have been conducted in laboratories, online and in real-world food settings, and with different populations. Evidence on the effectiveness of nudge strategies in shifting food choice is encouraging. Underpinning mechanisms, not yet fully explicated, are proposed to relate to salience, social norms and the principle of least effort. Emerging evidence points to areas for development including the effectiveness of choice architecture interventions with different and diverse populations, and the combined effect of multiple nudges. This, alongside further examination of theoretical mechanisms and guidance to engage and inspire across the breadth of food provision, is critical. In this way, the potential of choice architecture to effect meaningful change in populations' diets will be realised.

THE ROLE OF URBAN AESTHETICS ON ENHANCING VITALITY OF URBAN SPACES

2021 ◽  
pp. xx-xx
Keyword(s):  
Urban Design ◽  
Direct Consequence ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Urban Spaces ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Aesthetic Quality ◽  
Aesthetic Design ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
The Aesthetic

Several scholars have focused on the different approaches in designing convivial urban spaces, but literary evidence shows that the essence of aesthetic design in public urban spaces, by referring to the main dimensions involved in the shaping of urban vitality, has not been adequately researched. In this regard, this study, by hypothesizing that the quality of urban design leads to a vital urban environment, focuses on urban vitality from the aesthetic point of view. Thus, in using qualitative grounded theory as a main methodological tool and using a systematic review of the related literature as the main induction approach for collecting qualitative data, five main dimensions of urban vitality, which are necessary to attain a correlation with the aesthetic quality of urban design, were conceptualized. The study concludes that the aesthetic design of an urban setting has a direct effect on the active involvement of its users and that this, therefore, has a direct consequence on the level of public urban vitality, manifested. Integrating the complexity theory with the five main dimensions used for assessing urban vitality was suggested as a viable area for further research.

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