Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status of Older Adult Homeless Women

Johnson, L; McCool, Audrey C.

doi:10.1300/j052v23n01_01

Cited by 24 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…However, it may be that meal programs contribute to food insecurity. Many homeless individuals may depend on or use charitable food programs [ 11 , 21 , 49 ], but evaluations of such programs have revealed that their meals may be inadequate both in terms of the quantity/frequency [ 50 , 51 ] and nutritional content provided to meet their needs [ 50 , 52 ]. For example, the current system of food provision to individuals who are food insecure in Canada, largely provided by charitable organisations, has been characterised as inadequate and poorly coordinated [ 51 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food Insecurity among Homeless Adults with Mental Illness

et al. 2016

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BackgroundThe prevalence of food insecurity and food insufficiency is high among homeless people. We investigated the prevalence and correlates of food insecurity among a cohort of homeless adults with mental illness in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.MethodsData collected from baseline questionnaires in the Vancouver At Home study were analysed to calculate the prevalence of food insecurity within the sample (n = 421). A modified version of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Adult Food Security Survey Module was used to ascertain food insecurity. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine potential correlates of food insecurity.ResultsThe prevalence of food insecurity was 64%. In the multivariable model, food insecurity was significantly associated with age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.95–0.99), less than high school completion (aOR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.35–0.93), needing health care but not receiving it (aOR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.00–2.72), subjective mental health (aOR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.96–0.99), having spent over $500 for drugs and alcohol in the past month (aOR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.16–4.36), HIV/AIDS (aOR = 4.20; 95% CI: 1.36–12.96), heart disease (aOR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.16–0.97) and having gone to a drop-in centre, community meal centre or program/food bank (aOR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.01–2.68).ConclusionsThe prevalence of food insecurity was extremely high in a cohort with longstanding homelessness and serious mental illness. Younger age, needing health care but not receiving it, poorer subjective mental health, having spent over $500 for drugs and alcohol in the past month, HIV/AIDS and having gone to a drop-in centre, community meal centre or program/food bank each increased odds of food insecurity, while less than high school completion and heart disease each decreased odds of food insecurity. Interventions to reduce food insecurity in this population are urgently needed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food Insecurity among Homeless Adults with Mental Illness

et al. 2016

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“…Luder et al [49] revealed that homeless people’s diets are often high in saturated fats and cholesterol and inadequate in essential nutrients, contributing to adverse lipid profiles. Another [50] study of nutritional status among a group of adult homeless women found a similar trend: recommended daily allowances [RDAs] were commonly exceeded for sodium and saturated fats, both of which are independently associated with increased CVD risk [51,52]. Furthermore, if the homocysteine theory of arteriosclerosis [53] proves to be valid, then the vitamin and mineral deficiencies commonly found in the homeless, including vitamins B-6, B-12 and folate could also indirectly increase CVD risk through elevation of homocysteine levels.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among the Poor and Homeless – What We Know So Far

Jones¹,

Perera²,

Chow³

et al. 2009

CCR

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Homelessness [and poverty] is rapidly escalating across North America and is associated with dire implications for public health and our health care systems. Both are compelling states of existence affecting all ages, ethnicities and both genders. Homelessness frequently evolves through a complex interaction of factors that are both internal and external to the individual themselves. Once homeless, equitable access to both preventative and remedial health care is lacking and is associated with a higher than average burden of cardiovascular disease [CVD] risk factors, morbidity and mortality and is accompanied by disproportionately high health care costs. The emergence of limited, small scale programs aimed at addressing the unique health and social needs of the homeless is encouraging. However, there has been inadequate commitment at the National, State or Provincial and local levels to implement policies and dedicate funding and resources to the expansion of such “individual level” interventions into comprehensive programs that deliver sustainable, integrated prevention and services, especially with regard to CVD. The long-term solutions that address the links between homelessness and CVD lie in preventing homelessness and reversing the trends in our health care system that create disparities for lower socioeconomic status [SES] and homeless individuals.

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“…Studies have long demonstrated that shelter and soup kitchen meals have a high prevalence of inadequate or imbalanced nutrient, vitamin and mineral content (6,7) . The nutritional quality of food served to homeless individuals in the USA is often of poor nutritional value.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The nutritional quality of food served to homeless individuals in the USA is often of poor nutritional value. Studies have long demonstrated that shelter and soup kitchen meals have a high prevalence of inadequate or imbalanced nutrient, vitamin and mineral content ( 6 , 7 ) . In Boston, for example, shelters commonly receive and serve an abundance of leftover pastries, pizzas and desserts donated by local restaurants.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Homeless shelters and soup kitchenssocial institutions prevalent in most major cities across the USAserve as the primary food source for the majority of homeless individuals (4)(5)(6) . While shelters and soup kitchens traditionally serve as safety nets, rather than places to affect health, they have an untapped potential to impact food access, choice and quality.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Nutrition for homeless populations: shelters and soup kitchens as opportunities for intervention

Koh

Bharel

Henderson

2015

Public Health Nutr.

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Nutrition is a daily challenge for the homeless population in America. Homeless individuals suffer from a high prevalence of diseases related to poor diet, yet there has been little public health effort to improve nutrition in this population. Shelters and soup kitchens may have an untapped potential to impact food access, choice and quality. We offer ideas for intervention and lessons learned from ten shelters and soup kitchens around Greater Boston, MA, USA. By advancing food quality, education and policies in shelters and soup kitchens, the homeless population can be given an opportunity to restore its nutrition and health.

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Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status of Older Adult Homeless Women

Cited by 24 publications

References 21 publications

Food Insecurity among Homeless Adults with Mental Illness

Food Insecurity among Homeless Adults with Mental Illness

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among the Poor and Homeless – What We Know So Far

Nutrition for homeless populations: shelters and soup kitchens as opportunities for intervention

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