Search Results (59)

This article describes the design, methods, and baseline characteristics of the social needs assessment (SNA) of participants enrolled in an ongoing randomized clinical trial implementing a comprehensive approach to improving diabetes self-management and providing an intensive Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (iDSMES) Program at St. Vincent’s House Clinic, a primary care practice serving resource-challenged diverse populations in Galveston, Texas. Standardized SNA was conducted to collect information on financial needs, psychosocial well-being, and other chronic health conditions. Based on their identified needs, participants were referred to non-medical existing community resources. A series of in-depth interviews were conducted with a subset of participants. A team member independently categorized these SNA narratives and aggregated them into two overarching groups: medical and social needs. Fifty-nine participants (with a mean age of 53 years and equal representation of men and women) completed an SNA. Most (71%) did not have health insurance. Among 12 potential social needs surveyed, the most frequently requested resources were occupational therapy (78%), utility assistance (73%), and food pantry services (71%). SNA provided data with the potential to address barriers that may hinder participation, retention, and outcomes in diabetes self-management. SNA findings may serve as tertiary prevention to mitigate diabetes-related complications and disparities. Full article

Background/Objectives: International students pursuing higher education in the United States face unique challenges that increase their risk of food insecurity, including limited financial resources, employment restrictions, and cultural barriers. While food insecurity among domestic students has been widely studied, limited research focuses on the lived experiences of international graduate students. This study explores the challenges, perceptions, and coping strategies related to food insecurity among international graduate students at a large public university in North Texas. Methods: This qualitative, ethnographic study involved 20 semi-structured interviews with international graduate students who were clients of the university’s food pantry. Participants were recruited using purposive convenience sampling. Interviews focused on students’ experiences with food access, financial constraints, campus resources, and cultural food preferences. Data were analyzed using thematic coding in MAXQDA. Two standardized food insecurity measures—the USDA and FAO scales—were also administered and analyzed using SPSS. Results: Findings revealed that 85% of participants experienced limited access to nutritious and culturally appropriate foods, with 70% reporting hunger due to financial constraints. Themes included lack of cooking skills, limited campus food options, difficulty accessing familiar groceries, and limited job opportunities. Students expressed that food insecurity significantly impacted their physical health, mental well-being, and social lives, though many continued to prioritize academics over personal nourishment. Conclusions: Food insecurity among international graduate students is multifaceted, shaped by financial, cultural, and institutional barriers. Addressing this issue requires culturally sensitive interventions, improved access to diverse food options, tailored student support services, and institutional efforts to better understand and meet the needs of international students. Full article

Background/Objectives: Food banks and pantries play a critical role in improving food security through allocating essential resources to households that lack consistent access to sufficient and nutritious food. However, these organizations encounter significant operational challenges, including variability in food donations, volunteer shortages, and difficulties in matching supply with demand. Artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly prevalent in various sectors of the food industry and related services, highlighting its potential applicability in addressing these operational complexities. Methods: This study systematically reviewed empirical evidence on AI applications in food banks and pantry services published before 15 April 2025. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive keyword and reference search was conducted in 11 electronic bibliographic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL Plus, EconLit with Full Text, Applied Science & Technology Full Text (H.W. Wilson), Family & Society Studies Worldwide, and SocINDEX. Results: We identified five peer-reviewed papers published from 2015 to 2024, four of which utilized structured data machine learning algorithms, including neural networks, K-means clustering, random forests, and Bayesian additive regression trees. The remaining study employed text-based topic modeling to analyze food bank and pantry services. Of the five papers, three focused on the food donation process, and two examined food collection and distribution. Discussion: Collectively, these studies show the emerging potential for AI applications to enhance food bank and pantry operations. However, notable limitations were identified, including the scarcity of studies on this topic, restricted geographic scopes, and methodological challenges such as the insufficient discussion of data representativeness and statistical power. None of the studies addressed AI ethics, including model bias and fairness, or discussed intervention and policy implications in depth. Further studies should investigate innovative AI-driven solutions within food banks and pantries to help alleviate food insecurity. Full article

Background/Objective: Students’ taste preferences, cooking skills, and cultural backgrounds impact their use of food access resources on campus. Meal kits include pre-sorted ingredients, which could address food waste and help to prepare meals with unfamiliar ingredients. The objective of this exploratory pilot study was to develop and investigate the impact of culturally relevant meal kits on cooking skills, food waste, and food security tailored to UC Davis students. Methods: Meal kits included ingredients found at the campus food pantry. Three culturally relevant recipes were selected: High-Protein Avocado Toast, Mexican-Inspired Quinoa Bowl, and a Korean Vegetable Stir-Fry. Students were randomly assigned to the intervention meal kit group (n = 50), while the comparison recipe card group received a digital recipe card (n = 25). Data were collected through pre- and post-surveys administered online, in addition to open-ended, qualitative feedback through surveys after each meal kit or recipe card. Results: Thirty-two participants in the meal kit group and four participants in the recipe card group completed all study measures. Both groups experienced an increase in being classified as high food security over the three-week intervention period (+13% in the intervention group and +75% in the comparison group). Further, the intervention group improved cooking self-efficacy (+1.2 points; p < 0.01) and food waste practices. Participants appreciated the meal kits’ ease of preparation, clear instructions, and minimal cooking steps. Conclusions: The preliminary findings of this exploratory pilot study highlight the potential importance of culturally relevant interventions to address food security and promote healthier eating habits among college students. However, more research is needed with a larger, more diverse sample over a longer duration. Full article

Background/Objectives: Financial stress among university students has been widely documented, impacting academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being. This scoping review explores and synthesizes the existing evidence on the extent and impact of financial challenges experienced by university students in Australia and New Zealand and examines approaches implemented by universities in these countries to address these challenges. Methods: The Arksey and O’Malley framework was utilized for comprehensiveness, structure, and reproducibility. Four scientific databases (Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, and Informit) were searched until 30 June 2024, and 3542 articles were identified. Following extensive screening, 19 studies were included. The studies were summarized using a narrative synthesis approach. Results: This review suggests that financial stress continues to be experienced by Australian/New Zealand university students. Some studies indicate that over half (8–68%) of students face significant financial issues and 96% of students report high emotional stress. Some groups are more vulnerable than others. Notably, students from low socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds and international students have increased vulnerability due to factors such as inadequate financial support and limited access to job opportunities and support services. Support services available for students included emergency grants, food pantries (including international students), and community gardens but with limited impact in addressing underlying financial hardships. Conclusion: This review highlights the persistent financial challenges faced by vulnerable university students in Australia and New Zealand. It calls for comprehensive strategies to enhance support services and address structural issues in government and institutional policies. Addressing these needs will enable improved student academic success and mental and physical well-being in these vulnerable groups. Full article

Background: Higher education institutions and public health agencies in the United States (US) have recognized that food insecurity is pervasive and interferes with student learning on multiple levels. However, less research has examined food insecurity among culturally diverse college students. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence and predictors of food insecurity for US-born White, US-born Multicultural, and International students aged 18–34 at a Midwest university. The secondary aims were to describe dietary and meal characteristics, and the use of food assistance programs, including the on-campus food pantry. Methods: In April 2022, 853 students completed the 10-item US Adult Food Security Module, and demographic, dietary fat intake, food attitude, food access barriers, and nutrition assistance program usage questions using a socio ecological model (SEM) framework. Results: Food security prevalence was 73.3% (54.7% high, 18.5% marginal) and food insecurity prevalence was 26.7% (14.4% low, 12.3% very low). Significantly more International (26.8%) and Multicultural (35.6%) students were classified as food-insecure compared to White students (19.9%; p < 0.001). Binomial and multinomial logistic regression models indicated that predictors of food insecurity were intrapersonal factors of race/ethnicity, poor self-reported health, being an undergraduate, and the community barriers of high food costs and limited transportation. Conclusions: Dietary characteristics differed more by nativity–ethnicity groups than they did by food security levels. Food cost emerged as a strong influence on food choice for the food-insecure students. International students utilized more nutrition assistance programs, including the on-campus food pantry, than other groups. Full article

Background/Objectives: This paper examines hunger over time to analyze how food insecurity is impacted by reduced income, including household funding from the government. Federal policies and community-based programs have the ability to prevent increases in food insecurity, particularly for populations that have risk factors, such as households with children; single-parent households; low-income households, especially those in rural areas; Black and Hispanic households; and, households experiencing economic hardships. Methods: This study is bas ed on a cross-sectional survey that was administered in 2018 and 2019 to food pantry clients, an already food insecure population accessing resources, in Eastern Massachusetts. Baseline surveys were matched with a 3-month follow-up survey (n = 308) and multinomial logistic mixed effect models were used to analyze the association between change in household hunger and change in household income. Results: This study found that participants who experienced decreased income compared to no income change from baseline to follow-up had 2.16 times the odds (95% CI: 1.05, 4.46) of experiencing increased household hunger compared to no change in hunger from baseline to follow-up, after adjusting for all other covariates. Conclusions: Food insecurity in the United States remained stable during the beginning of COVID-19, despite prevalence of reduced household income. The expanded government benefits that were implemented early in the pandemic contributed to total household income, which prevented increased food insecurity. Increased food insecurity after the removal of benefits starting in 2022 indicates the importance of continuing support established during times when consistent income is compromised to prevent a delayed rise in food insecurity. Full article

Background/Objectives: Historically racialized status (HRS) and low socioeconomic position (SEP) are independent risk factors for food insecurity and poor academic achievement among college students. Despite increased enrollment of students from historically racialized groups and low SEP, little is known regarding the intersectional experience of these contemporary student characteristics with food security status or academic achievement. The purpose of this study was to examine the intersections of racialized status and SEP with food insecurity and academic achievement among undergraduate students attending a public university system in California. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1170 undergraduates who utilized their campus food pantry between June and August 2019 at nine University of California campuses. Racialized status and SEP were used to construct four distinct intersectional positions: (1) White, not low SEP (i.e., traditional students; reference), and three contemporary student groups: (2) White, low SEP; (3) HRS, not low SEP; and (4) HRS, low SEP. Using regression analyses, these intersectional positions were examined with food insecurity and grade point average (GPA), while controlling for other student characteristics. Results: HRS, low SEP students had significantly higher odds of experiencing food insecurity (OR = 2.72; 95% CI: 1.52–4.97) and lower GPA (B = −0.14, p = 0.05) than traditional students, after adjustment. Conclusions: Contemporary students are at increased risk of food insecurity and lower academic achievement compared to traditional students. Full article

Food insecurity (FI) is associated with lower academic performance in university students. This research aimed to describe the relationship between a campus food pantry and academic performance, describe the characteristics of student pantry shoppers (PSs), and develop a model to predict academic success. Researchers obtained student pantry swipes and university data (2021–2022 academic year) to generate a dataset for grade point average (GPA) (N = 23,896) and a subset of PS sociodemographic data (N = 852). Variables (cumulative or term GPA) differed based on models. Explanatory variables were biological sex, age, frequency of pantry shopping, classification, Pell Grant eligibility, college, athlete status, citizenship, residency, ethnicity/race, honors, and first-generation status. The analysis included the two-sample t-test, logistic and multiple regression, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). There was no difference (t(921.8) = 0.518, p = 0.60) in the cumulative GPA between PSs (M = 3.001 [0.808]) and non-pantry shoppers (NPSs) (M = 3.016 [0.874]). In the fall term, PSs (M = 3.018 [1.012] earned a higher GPA (t(581.69) = −2.235, p = 0.03) than NPSs (M = 2.919 [1.123]). Pantry shoppers achieved academic success despite exhibiting risk factors for FI, including first-generation status, being of the female sex, and financial need. Targeted multicomponent campus programs are needed to provide food assistance to students at risk for FI. Full article

Background/Objectives: Barriers to food pantry use have been identified but little information is available regarding how these barriers are related to food pantry use. The purpose of this study was to assess relationships between barriers and (1) user demographic characteristics, (2) visit frequency and amount of food received, and (3) satisfaction with pantry visit experiences. Methods: Data were used from the 2022 Minnesota Food Shelf Survey, which included responses from 288 food pantries across the state with 6267 individuals reporting on barriers to pantry use. Survey barrier statements included limits on frequency of visits allowed, lack of reliable transportation, scheduling difficulties, and other. Survey satisfaction statements included being able to choose food types, being made welcome, having an easy selection process, having different varieties of food available, and foods having a favorable appearance. Chi-square and mixed model logistic regression analyses were used to assess relationships between reporting barriers and demographic characteristics, visit satisfaction, visit frequency, and amount of food received in the past 6 months. Results: Respondents were primarily non-Hispanic White (65%) and female (68%). Regression models showed that reporting barriers to pantry use was not associated with user demographic characteristics, but was associated with greater odds of visiting the pantry more often, and lower odds of getting more food from the pantry or reporting a satisfactory food pantry visit experience. Conclusions: Findings may be useful for food pantry staff to improve pantry access and visit experiences and for public health professionals who advise those who use food pantries to supplement household food supplies. Full article

Background: Campus food pantries can address food insecurity among college students, but little is known about how to create a model at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). This study evaluated a food pantry, which was part of a learning community for dietetics and nutrition students at an HSI. Methods: The Bobcat Bounty food pantry was created and evaluated using a mixed-methods approach, including food inventories before and after each pantry, observations of operations (written by volunteers at each pantry, n = 27), new client intake (n = 947) and client satisfaction surveys (n = 267)), and stakeholder interviews (n = 16 after the first year of implementation). Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used for quantitative analyses, and qualitative analyses included interview transcript coding and peer debriefing. Results: Here, 2 faculty members and a team of 19 students/dietetic interns operated the weekly campus food pantry, which served 3567 students and distributed 33,000 pounds of food. Client satisfaction surveys provided evidence for addressing food insecurity for college students. Volunteers and stakeholders generated insights for operational evolution and sustainability of the food pantry. Conclusions: Results highlighted key factors for initial efficacy and strategies for long-term success. Findings may be incorporated by dietetic education and training programs to provide research-focused and culturally relevant experiential learning. Full article

The objective of this study was to (1) assess via cross-sectional survey the prevalence of food insecurity among African Americans [AAs] after their most recent grocery shopping trip, and (2) examine the grocery shopping factors of importance and characteristics of food-insecure AA grocery shoppers. Most (70.4%) were food-insecure. Food-insecure grocery shoppers were significantly more likely to be younger, less educated, who often skipped meals and/or practiced fasting, accessed a food pantry, were SNAP recipients, were considered to not be in ”good” health, and who had higher BMI compared to food-secure shoppers (p ≤ 0.03 * for all). Our data showed that AAs shopped for groceries a mean 2.20 ± 1.29 times per week, for low prices (72.1%), without a weekly budget (58.9%), with a grocery list (44.6%) or using an app (27.6%), for high-quality vegetables (27.5%), for good customer service (22.9%), for store brands (20.8%) and name brands (17.9%).Food-insecure shoppers were significantly more likely to grocery shop more times per week, have a weekly budget, and use an app, but were significantly less likely to report store brands, name brands, good customer service, and high-quality vegetables as grocery factors of importance (p ≤ 0.03 * for all). Grocery strategies such as shopping with a grocery app and/or grocery list could help food-insecure AAs reduce grocery trips, promote meal planning to save money, and avoid skipping meals/fasting, while eating healthier. Full article

This study reveals that the likelihood and diversity of postsecondary institutions providing basic needs programs are significantly influenced by institutional factors such as the institutions’ organization and size. This study also indicates that Hispanic-Serving Institutions tend to provide emergency housing, which highlights a targeted response to specific community needs. In addition, the analysis indicates that the presence of students with financial needs is linked to the availability of food pantry services, suggesting a strategic approach to address student welfare. The findings from this study provide critical insights into how institutional characteristics influence the provision and variety of basic needs services. These conclusions not only underscore the pivotal role of such services in supporting the overall well-being and academic success of students but also indicate institutional factors that support the formal implementation of a variety of basic needs programs to meet diverse student needs. Full article

Nutrition promotion programs may have varying effects and influence health disparities. SuperShelf promotes healthy choices in food pantries through inventory changes and nudge implementation (e.g., choice architecture). This secondary analysis of the SuperShelf cluster-randomized trial assessed whether the effect of SuperShelf on client diet quality differed by equity characteristics. English-, Spanish-, or Somali-speaking adult clients from 11 food pantries in Minnesota were included (N = 193). We measured change in diet quality by the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015; maximum score 100) using up to two 24 h dietary recalls from pre-intervention and post-intervention periods. We used linear mixed-effects models to determine whether the effect of SuperShelf on diet quality varied by self-reported gender, race/ethnicity, education, and employment status. In separate adjusted models, the interactions of SuperShelf and gender, education, or employment status were not significant. The interaction of SuperShelf and race/ethnicity was significant (p-interaction = 0.008), but pairwise comparisons in diet quality were non-significant in all racial/ethnic subgroups. SuperShelf did not have differential effects on diet quality by gender, race/ethnicity, education, or employment status, suggesting it does not worsen dietary disparities among food pantry clients, though more subgroup analyses are needed to explore potential racial/ethnic disparities in this context. Full article

In cross-sectional studies, food insecurity is associated with adverse health and dietary outcomes. Whether self-reported health and dietary outcomes change in response to improvements in food security has not been examined. We sought to examine how increases in food security are related to changes in health and dietary factors. In this longitudinal, observational study, we included adult participants in a clinical-community emergency food assistance program in New York City from July 2020 to November 2021. Program staff measured food security with a validated six-item measure at program enrollment and six-month re-enrollment. Participants self-reported health and dietary factors (vegetable, fruit, juice, and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption frequency). We used multivariable regression to examine associations between change in food security with change in health and dietary factors over six months. Among 310 participants, the mean food security score improved by 1.7 ± 2.3 points over six months. In unadjusted models, each point improvement in food security was associated with increased vegetable (β = 0.10 times; 95% CI: 0.05–0.15); fruit (β = 0.08 times; 95% CI: 0.03–0.14); and juice (β = 0.10 times; 95% CI: 0.05–0.15) consumption. In adjusted models, results remained significant for vegetable and fruit consumption, but not juice. Change in food security was not associated with change in health or SSB outcomes. In this cohort during COVID-19, improved food security was associated with improved vegetable and fruit consumption. Randomized trials that examine the effectiveness of clinical-community partnerships focused on improving food security and nutrition are warranted. Full article