scholarly journals Influence of a Pediatric Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program on Child Dietary Patterns and Food Security

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2619
Author(s):  
Amy Saxe-Custack ◽  
Jenny LaChance ◽  
Jennifer Jess ◽  
Mona Hanna-Attisha
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Office Visits ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Pediatric Clinic ◽  
Central Hypothesis ◽  
Fresh Foods

Limited access to fresh foods is a barrier to adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables among youth, particularly in low-income communities. The current study sought to examine preliminary effectiveness of a fruit and vegetable prescription program (FVPP), which provided one USD 15 prescription to pediatric patients during office visits. The central hypothesis was that exposure to this FVPP is associated with improvements in dietary patterns and food security. This non-controlled longitudinal intervention trial included a sample of caregiver–child dyads at one urban pediatric clinic who were exposed to the FVPP for 1 year. Patients received one USD 15 prescription for fresh produce during appointments. A consecutive sample of caregivers whose children were 8–18 years of age were invited to participate in the study. Dyads separately completed surveys that evaluated food security and dietary behaviors prior to receipt of their first prescription and again at 12 months. A total of 122 dyads completed surveys at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Approximately half of youth were female (52%), and most were African American (63%). Mean caregiver-reported household food security improved from baseline to 12 months (p < 0.001), as did mean child-reported food security (p = 0.01). Additionally, child-reported intake of vegetables (p = 0.001), whole grains (p = 0.001), fiber (p = 0.008), and dairy (p < 0.001) improved after 12 months of exposure to the FVPP. This study provides evidence that pediatric FVPPs may positively influence food security and the dietary patterns of children.

scholarly journals Fruit and Vegetable Prescriptions for Pediatric Patients Living in Flint, Michigan: A Cross-Sectional Study of Food Security and Dietary Patterns at Baseline

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Saxe-Custack ◽  
Jenny LaChance ◽  
Mona Hanna-Attisha ◽  
Tiffany Ceja
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Maintenance

Though fruit and vegetable consumption is essential for disease prevention and health maintenance, intake among children fails to meet dietary recommendations. Limited access to and the affordability of fresh produce, particularly among low-income youth, are barriers to adequate intake. To address these challenges, researchers and pediatricians in Flint, Michigan, expanded a successful fruit and vegetable prescription program that provides one $15 prescription for fresh fruits and vegetables to every child at every office visit. Vendors include the downtown farmers’ market and a local mobile market. This study describes baseline characteristics, dietary patterns, food access, and food security among 261 caregiver–child dyads enrolled August 2018–March 2019. The child-reported mean daily intake of vegetables (0.72 cups ± 0.77), dairy products (1.33 cups ± 1.22), and whole grains (0.51 ounces ± 0.49) were well below recommendations. Furthermore, 53% of children and 49% of caregivers who completed the food security module indicated low or very low food security. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the child consumption of fruits and vegetables between households that reported high versus low food security (p > 0.05). Results validate and raise deep concerns about poor dietary patterns and food insecurity issues facing Flint children, many of whom continue to battle with an ongoing drinking water crisis. Additional poverty-mitigating efforts, such as fruit and vegetable prescription programs, are necessary to address these gaps.

scholarly journals Mother-Related Determinants of Children At-Home Fruit and Vegetable Dietary Patterns in a Polish National Sample

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Groele ◽  
Dominika Głąbska ◽  
Krystyna Gutkowska ◽  
Dominika Guzek
Keyword(s):  
Marital Status ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
At Home

Fruit and vegetable intake is indicated among the features of sustainable diets, while children’s intake is strongly associated with the intake of their parents, as well as the availability of food products and their accessibility at home. The aim of the study was to analyze the mother-related determinants of children at-home fruit and vegetable dietary patterns in a Polish national sample of children aged 3–10 years. The random quota sampling (with quotas for age, education, and place of residence) was conducted to recruit the national representative sample of Polish mothers of children aged 3–10 years (n = 1200) who were interviewed using a Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) method. They were asked about their children’s at-home fruit and vegetable dietary patterns, which were later compared in sub-groups that were stratified for age, educational background, marital status, place of residence, occupational status, and total net income in households. The indicated features, but not marital status, were indicated as determinants of children at-home fruit and vegetable dietary patterns. Children of younger mothers more often than others consumed fruits, whereas those of older mothers consumed vegetables. Children of mothers who had a lower level of education more commonly than others consumed fruits alone as a dish, and they had a higher preference for them, while those of mothers who had a higher level of education had a higher consumption of vegetables than others, although they had a medium preference for them. Children of mothers from villages had a lower consumption of vegetables and fruits than others, although they had a higher preference for fruits. Children of mothers with no professional job had a lower consumption of vegetables than others and more often consumed them processed, although they had a higher preference for fruits and vegetables. Children of mothers with low income had a lower consumption of vegetables than others and more often consumed fruits in a dish with other products, although they had a higher preference for fruits and vegetables. To summarize, an indication of a high preference for fruits and vegetables by mothers is not accompanied by the higher consumption and recommended dietary patterns for fruit and vegetable intake by their children. In particular, the sub-samples of mothers who had a low level of education, were from villages, did not have a professional job, and had low income may either overestimate the fruit and vegetable preference of their children or do not offer them sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables, although they indicate a higher preference. In order to encourage more sustainable diet following, in terms of the fruit and vegetable intake, it is essential to introduce actions toward the properly planned nutritional education for the indicated target groups.

scholarly journals Caregiver perceptions of a fruit and vegetable prescription programme for low-income paediatric patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 2497-2506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Saxe-Custack ◽  
Heather Claire Lofton ◽  
Mona Hanna-Attisha ◽  
Colleen Victor ◽  
Gwendolyn Reyes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Data Saturation ◽  
Perceived Impact

AbstractObjectiveThe physical and social environments that surround children should support good health. However, challenges with food security and access prevent many children from consuming a healthy diet, which is critical to proper growth and development. The present study sought to gain a better understanding of primary care initiatives to address these issues in a low-income setting.DesignFollowing the relocation of a paediatric clinic to a farmers’ market building and the implementation of a fruit and vegetable prescription programme, researchers conducted thirty-two semi-structured interviews with caregivers. Researchers elicited caregivers’ perceptions of clinic co-location with the farmers’ market; experiences with the prescription programme; opinions of the farmers’ market; and perceived impact on child consumption of fresh produce. Interview recordings were transcribed for textual analysis. Using thematic analysis, researchers examined qualitative data to identify patterns across transcripts and formulate emerging themes. Researchers concluded when data saturation was reached.SettingFlint, Michigan, USA.SubjectsThe majority of participants were female (91 %) and African American (53 %).ResultsFour recurrent themes emerged during interviews: (i) convenience of relocation; (ii) attitude towards prescription programme; (iii) challenges with implementation; and (iv) perceived impact of combined interventions. Caregivers indicated that the co-location and prescription programme increased family shopping at the farmers’ market, improved access to high-quality produce and improved food security.ConclusionsA fruit and vegetable prescription programme involving a partnership between a farmers’ market and paediatric clinic was perceived as effective in improving food security, food access and child consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

scholarly journals Fruit and Vegetable Prescriptions for Pediatric Patients in Flint, Michigan: Program Development, Methods, and Baseline Characteristics (FS02-05-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Saxe-Custack ◽  
Mona Hanna-Attisha ◽  
Krista Zvoch
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Access ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Office Visit ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Baseline Characteristics

Abstract Objectives To address food access and affordability challenges among low-income children and adolescents, some health care providers are prescribing fresh fruits and vegetables. However, the evaluation of these programs is limited as are descriptions of study designs and needs of the population they serve. Our objectives were to describe the development of a fruit and vegetable prescription program for pediatric patients, baseline characteristics of the study population, child dietary patterns, and household food security. Methods Researchers partnered with pediatricians in Flint, Michigan to offer one $15 prescription for fresh fruits and vegetables to children at every office visit. Participating vendors included the downtown farmers’ market as well as a local mobile market, which accepts on-line or telephone orders for fruit and vegetable boxes delivered to homes. Following receipt of the prescription, patients (7–18 years of age) were invited to participate in the current study with one caregiver. Researchers restricted enrollment to one child per family. Caregiver-child dyads completed evaluation instruments with a trained research assistant during their pediatric office visit. In addition to completing a demographic survey, caregivers and children responded to questions about dietary patterns, food security, and food access. Results 320 caregiver-child dyads enrolled in the study. Most of the children (mean age 12.7 ± 2.9) were African American (68%) and residents of Flint (73%). The majority of caregivers (mean age 39.7 ± 9.7) were female (91%), African American (65%), and receiving SNAP benefits (54%). Of the 277 children who completed the food screener, average intake of vegetables (0.71 cups ± 0.73) and dairy (1.3 cups ± 1.1) as well as whole grains (0.48 ounces ± 0.47) were well below current recommendations. Moreover, nearly half of caregivers who enrolled in the study (47%) reported low or very low household food security. Conclusions Results confirm and continue to raise deep concerns about dietary behaviors and food insecurity among children in Flint, many of whom continue to face an ongoing drinking water crisis. By addressing both access to fresh produce and food insecurity, the prescription program has the potential to improve fruit and vegetable intake. Funding Sources This study was supported by a grant from Michigan Health Endowment Fund.

Incentive Programs to Address the Challenges of Hunger, Undernutrition, and Obesity in the United States

2018 ◽  
pp. 205-223
Author(s):  
Gus Schumacher ◽  
Emily Nink
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
The United States ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Incentive Programs ◽  
Food Security And Nutrition

Across the world, many people remain food insecure, and unhealthy dietary patterns are driving up health costs. Solutions to these problems will impact food production and water scarcity. This chapter reviews the history of government interventions to improve food security and nutrition in the United States, which have enjoyed a “broad coalition” of support over seven decades. More recently, nutrition incentive programs have emerged, aiming to increase purchases and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers who benefit from the federal nutrition programs. This chapter explores the development and programmatic success of nutrition incentives, impacts on consumers’ food security and nutrition, impacts on farmers and farmers’ markets, and potential contributions to shifting dietary patterns. As they mature, evolve, and scale, nutrition interventions may deliver shorter supply chains, increase fruit and vegetable consumption, and contribute to a shift toward more sustainable and nutritious foods.

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.

The Role of Women in Improving Access to Food at the Household Level in Mandeni Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-155
Author(s):  
Nondumiso Thabisile Mpanza ◽  
Mfaniseni Wiseman Mbatha
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Home Gardens ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Role Of Women ◽  
Access To Food

This paper censoriously assesses the role of women in improving access to food at the household level. The role of women is essential in the production of food as caretakers of household food security. However, their role is not well recognised, more especially in policymaking and resource allocation. This study was conducted through a qualitative approach with an exploratory research design. The participants were sampled with convenience sampling and interviewed with semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was employed as a tool for data analysis. The study adopted feminisation of poverty as a primary theory of this paper. Certain aspects of the study reveal that women have been struggling to access food from the diversity of retail vents that are obtainable in town because of low income and limitations of transport service. This is a constraint to women who depend on the off-farm sources of income because their household’s livelihood depends on purchasing food from retail vents. Those who rely on home gardens were experiencing low productivity and the unsustainability of their gardens. This has been caused by water scarcity and climate change. Therefore, women must be provided with training that seeks to develop their skills on how to make effective use of home gardens so that food security can be ensured.

scholarly journals Soup kitchen users' social representations of healthy eating associated with their household food security status

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-240
Author(s):  
Isabel Cristina BENTO ◽  
Fernanda Martins SOBRINHO ◽  
Mery Natali Silva ABREU ◽  
Maria Flávia GAZZINELLI ◽  
Simone Cardoso Lisboa PEREIRA
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Social Representation ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
Belo Horizonte

Objective: To verify whether what users of soup kitchens in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, think about a healthy diet and the challenges they face to eat healthy are associated with their household food security status. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1,656 users of soup kitchens in Belo Horizonte. Socioeconomic and household food security data, and healthy-eating discourses were collected by a semi-structured questionnaire. The data were submitted to descriptive analyses for constructing frequency distribution tables, and to univariate analysis. Discourse analysis was based on the social representation theory. Results: To cut, reduce, avoid, not eat, eat less, and decrease carbohydrates, salt, meats, various beverages, and other foods are the most frequent changes (71.4%) that food-secure users have made or intend to make. Food-insecure users intended to eat more fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and other foods (34.4%). The main obstacles food-secure and food-insecure users face to adopt a healthier diet are lack of time (82.9%) and low income (53.5%), respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion: What users of soup kitchens in Belo Horizonte think about food and the obstacles they face to adopt a healthier diet are related to their household food security status. The results provide valuable data for effective proposals of food and nutrition education, which should act on the producers of subjectivity in this group and consider this group's food and nutrition security status.

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