What a city eats: Examining the dietary preferences of families living in communities at high risk for food insecurity
Abstract Introduction: Food insecurity (FI) is the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active and healthy life. Community-based hunger relief programs often serve as emergency food sources for families with FI. However, these programs may not provide foods that diverse populations of p...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S205986612000549X/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1811156545760657408 |
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| author | Elaina Cummer Claudia Loyola Amador Kimberly Montez Joseph A. Skelton Brenda Ramirez Scott Best Rachel Zimmer Deepak Palakshappa |
| author_facet | Elaina Cummer Claudia Loyola Amador Kimberly Montez Joseph A. Skelton Brenda Ramirez Scott Best Rachel Zimmer Deepak Palakshappa |
| author_sort | Elaina Cummer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Abstract
Introduction:
Food insecurity (FI) is the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active and healthy life. Community-based hunger relief programs often serve as emergency food sources for families with FI. However, these programs may not provide foods that diverse populations of people prefer. We sought to evaluate the dietary patterns and preferences of families living in food-insecure neighborhoods and utilizing a community-based hunger relief program, in order to improve the utilization of local nutritional programs.
Methods:
We examined the Help Our People Eat (HOPE) community-based mobile meal program. Free-listing interviews (n = 63) were conducted with English-(66%) and Spanish-speaking (34%) participants of the program. Participants were asked about FI risk, food preferences, and dietary behaviors at home.
Results:
The majority of participants (90%) had children in the household. About 60% reported not being able to afford the type of food they enjoyed. Most participants reported using stoves for cooking (80%). Participants overwhelmingly cooked with chicken, beef, and pork. The most common side dishes included potatoes, rice, and salad. Most participants reported no interest in cooking differently or learning new recipes.
Conclusions:
A common theme throughout interviews was that families prefer similar meals, but may prepare them differently based on the language spoken. Food preferences consisted of a high intake of carbohydrate-rich meals, perhaps because these foods may be cheaper and easier to access. Notably, new recipes and cooking methods were not a priority for these families, possibly due to the time and effort needed to learn them.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:53:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2c3890a35b614f8c8e012085b7eb49f0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2059-8661 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:53:26Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-2c3890a35b614f8c8e012085b7eb49f02023-03-09T12:31:03ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Clinical and Translational Science2059-86612021-01-01510.1017/cts.2020.549What a city eats: Examining the dietary preferences of families living in communities at high risk for food insecurityElaina Cummer0Claudia Loyola Amador1Kimberly Montez2Joseph A. Skelton3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2222-9570Brenda Ramirez4Scott Best5Rachel Zimmer6Deepak Palakshappa7Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USAWake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USAHelp Our People Eat (HOPE) of Winston-Salem, Winston-Salem, NC, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA Abstract Introduction: Food insecurity (FI) is the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active and healthy life. Community-based hunger relief programs often serve as emergency food sources for families with FI. However, these programs may not provide foods that diverse populations of people prefer. We sought to evaluate the dietary patterns and preferences of families living in food-insecure neighborhoods and utilizing a community-based hunger relief program, in order to improve the utilization of local nutritional programs. Methods: We examined the Help Our People Eat (HOPE) community-based mobile meal program. Free-listing interviews (n = 63) were conducted with English-(66%) and Spanish-speaking (34%) participants of the program. Participants were asked about FI risk, food preferences, and dietary behaviors at home. Results: The majority of participants (90%) had children in the household. About 60% reported not being able to afford the type of food they enjoyed. Most participants reported using stoves for cooking (80%). Participants overwhelmingly cooked with chicken, beef, and pork. The most common side dishes included potatoes, rice, and salad. Most participants reported no interest in cooking differently or learning new recipes. Conclusions: A common theme throughout interviews was that families prefer similar meals, but may prepare them differently based on the language spoken. Food preferences consisted of a high intake of carbohydrate-rich meals, perhaps because these foods may be cheaper and easier to access. Notably, new recipes and cooking methods were not a priority for these families, possibly due to the time and effort needed to learn them. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S205986612000549X/type/journal_articleFood insecuritydietary preferencesmeal preparationmobile meal programculturally relevant food |
| spellingShingle | Elaina Cummer Claudia Loyola Amador Kimberly Montez Joseph A. Skelton Brenda Ramirez Scott Best Rachel Zimmer Deepak Palakshappa What a city eats: Examining the dietary preferences of families living in communities at high risk for food insecurity Journal of Clinical and Translational Science Food insecurity dietary preferences meal preparation mobile meal program culturally relevant food |
| title | What a city eats: Examining the dietary preferences of families living in communities at high risk for food insecurity |
| title_full | What a city eats: Examining the dietary preferences of families living in communities at high risk for food insecurity |
| title_fullStr | What a city eats: Examining the dietary preferences of families living in communities at high risk for food insecurity |
| title_full_unstemmed | What a city eats: Examining the dietary preferences of families living in communities at high risk for food insecurity |
| title_short | What a city eats: Examining the dietary preferences of families living in communities at high risk for food insecurity |
| title_sort | what a city eats examining the dietary preferences of families living in communities at high risk for food insecurity |
| topic | Food insecurity dietary preferences meal preparation mobile meal program culturally relevant food |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S205986612000549X/type/journal_article |
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