Is something better than nothing? Food insecurity and eating patterns of young people experiencing homelessness
Abstract Objective: Food insecurity is an increasing problem in marginalised groups that affects diet quality. We aimed to examine the extent of food insecurity and the eating patterns of young people accessing support from specialist homelessness services. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey with a r...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2015-08-01
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| Series: | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12371 |
| _version_ | 1827885007485534208 |
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| author | Belinda Crawford Rowena Yamazaki Elise Franke Sue Amanatidis Jioji Ravulo Siranda Torvaldsen |
| author_facet | Belinda Crawford Rowena Yamazaki Elise Franke Sue Amanatidis Jioji Ravulo Siranda Torvaldsen |
| author_sort | Belinda Crawford |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective: Food insecurity is an increasing problem in marginalised groups that affects diet quality. We aimed to examine the extent of food insecurity and the eating patterns of young people accessing support from specialist homelessness services. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey with a researcher‐administered food frequency and food insecurity questionnaire was undertaken with 50 young people experiencing homelessness, aged 14–26 years. Participants were recruited from 11 specialist homelessness services providing support and accommodation for young people in central and south‐western Sydney. Results: Food insecurity was a recent experience for 70% of participants. Eighty‐five per cent of participants living independently experienced food insecurity, compared to 66% of young people in supported accommodation. Consumption of core food groups was low, as almost all participants did not meet recommended daily servings of vegetables and breads and cereals. Consumption of sugar‐sweetened soft drinks was high. Conclusions: Food insecurity and poor diet quality are salient issues for this group of young people accessing support from specialist homelessness services. Implications: These findings highlight the need for a greater focus on advocacy and policy action to increase social supports and improve food security and nutrition for young people experiencing homelessness. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T19:39:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-166a607c0c144b149869aea9ae82ef3f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1326-0200 1753-6405 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T19:39:02Z |
| publishDate | 2015-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-166a607c0c144b149869aea9ae82ef3f2023-08-02T03:58:41ZengElsevierAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health1326-02001753-64052015-08-0139435035410.1111/1753-6405.12371Is something better than nothing? Food insecurity and eating patterns of young people experiencing homelessnessBelinda Crawford0Rowena Yamazaki1Elise Franke2Sue Amanatidis3Jioji Ravulo4Siranda Torvaldsen5NSW Public Health Officer Training Program, NSW Ministry of Health New South WalesCommunity Health Service Sydney Local Health District New South WalesYouth Health Service South Western Sydney Local Health District New South WalesCommunity Health Service Sydney Local Health District New South WalesSchool of Social Sciences and Psychology University of Western Sydney New South WalesSchool of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Medicine University of New South WalesAbstract Objective: Food insecurity is an increasing problem in marginalised groups that affects diet quality. We aimed to examine the extent of food insecurity and the eating patterns of young people accessing support from specialist homelessness services. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey with a researcher‐administered food frequency and food insecurity questionnaire was undertaken with 50 young people experiencing homelessness, aged 14–26 years. Participants were recruited from 11 specialist homelessness services providing support and accommodation for young people in central and south‐western Sydney. Results: Food insecurity was a recent experience for 70% of participants. Eighty‐five per cent of participants living independently experienced food insecurity, compared to 66% of young people in supported accommodation. Consumption of core food groups was low, as almost all participants did not meet recommended daily servings of vegetables and breads and cereals. Consumption of sugar‐sweetened soft drinks was high. Conclusions: Food insecurity and poor diet quality are salient issues for this group of young people accessing support from specialist homelessness services. Implications: These findings highlight the need for a greater focus on advocacy and policy action to increase social supports and improve food security and nutrition for young people experiencing homelessness.https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12371homeless young peoplefood insecuritydiet quality |
| spellingShingle | Belinda Crawford Rowena Yamazaki Elise Franke Sue Amanatidis Jioji Ravulo Siranda Torvaldsen Is something better than nothing? Food insecurity and eating patterns of young people experiencing homelessness Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health homeless young people food insecurity diet quality |
| title | Is something better than nothing? Food insecurity and eating patterns of young people experiencing homelessness |
| title_full | Is something better than nothing? Food insecurity and eating patterns of young people experiencing homelessness |
| title_fullStr | Is something better than nothing? Food insecurity and eating patterns of young people experiencing homelessness |
| title_full_unstemmed | Is something better than nothing? Food insecurity and eating patterns of young people experiencing homelessness |
| title_short | Is something better than nothing? Food insecurity and eating patterns of young people experiencing homelessness |
| title_sort | is something better than nothing food insecurity and eating patterns of young people experiencing homelessness |
| topic | homeless young people food insecurity diet quality |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12371 |
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