Differences in Chronic Health Conditions, Food Security Status, and Dietary Intake By Perceived Health Status In an Urban At-Risk Population
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Date
2016-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
In 2014, Ohio ranked 3rd nationally for rates of very low food security.1 Although food pantries provide emergency food assistance, these safety nets often fail to meet nutritional needs. The chronic lack of access to nutritious foods increases the risk of nutrition-related chronic disease and obesity. The objective of this study was to determine associations between: (1) self-reported health conditions and objectively measured biomarkers of health; and (2) perceived health status and actual health conditions in pantry clients. Participants were recruited from two Southside food pantries and completed a Personal Health Assessment, and biometric screening including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), and glycated hemoglobin (A1C). Of the total participants (N=130), 29% self-reported known hypertension (HTN), 2% reported overweight or obesity (OW/OB), and 19% reported known type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Objective measures resulted in 90% of participants with HTN (BP>120/80 mmHg), 71% with OW/OB (BMI>25), and 24% with T2DM (A1C≥6.5%). Data were then stratified by self-reported health perception (Negative=“poor” or “fair;” Positive=”good”, “very good,” or “excellent”). Those with a negative health perceptions were significantly more likely to report HTN (42%) as opposed to those with a positive health perceptions (19%, p=0.007). These findings indicate that local food pantry clients are underdiagnosed and untreated for chronic health conditions. Health perceptions were useful in estimating BP-related comorbidities only. Food pantries appear to be an excellent access point for screening vulnerable individuals in dire need of healthcare.
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Keywords
food security, dietary intake, chronic health conditions, food pantry