Diabetic Management at Food Pantries: An Undergraduate Research Thesis
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Date
2023-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Food insecurity is defined as having "limited access to or availability of food or a limited or uncertain ability to acquire food in socially acceptable ways" (Holben & Pheley, 2006, p.1). In Franklin County, Ohio, over 12.8% of households are food insecure (Feeding America, 2021). Individuals who experience food insecurity are at a higher risk for chronic illnesses, like Type II Diabetes. Food pantries offer emergency and short-term solutions to bridge the nutritional gap for food insecure individuals and households.
This community-based research study explores the effects of psychoeducational interventions in the food pantry setting on self-reports of diabetic management. Resources provided to food pantry clients relate to diet, exercise, community resource use, and mental well-being. The study takes place at NNEMAP Food Pantry in Columbus, Ohio with 17 food pantry clients who have Type II Diabetes. This study is utilizing multi-method data collection over a 6-week period. Study participants responded to open and close-ended survey questions about their predicted and actual use of provided resources. The intention was to have participants complete a post-test survey, but due to attrition, this part of the study was not completed.
This study found that individuals who have been diagnosed with diabetes struggle the more with diet-related management versus medication adherence or exercise changes. This study highlighted the differences in food security at the food pantry level, shedding light on how public benefit cuts may increase food pantry participation. Results also show that food pantries need to adapt how often clients can use their services, so that individuals will not need to travel so far to meet their nutritional needs.