A 2008 survey of food pantry clients in Iowa has revealed that, in addition to being food insecure, this population has – and is at a greater risk of acquiring – severe health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, food insecurity is defined as times during the year when households were uncertain of having, or were unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they had insufficient money or other resources for food.
Steve Garasky, an Iowa State University professor of human development and family studies (HDFS), has worked closely with Kim Greder, associate professor of HDFS and state Extension specialist, and four county-based ISU Extension nutrition and health field specialists to learn more about the living, eating, and wellness habits of food pantry clients. The researchers’ 2008 questionnaire, conducted in Black Hawk, Kossuth, Polk, and Woodbury counties at two times during the year, revealed valuable information regarding the resources, needs, and living conditions of this population.
“We’ve been visiting pantries [in Iowa] for six or seven years, but in 2004, we decided to look at health issues in regards to this population,” Garasky said. “These snapshots of data [from surveys] reveal that poor health [among the food insecure] is an ongoing issue.”
Results of the survey show 70 percent of the survey population was classified as either obese (40 percent) or overweight (30 percent). In comparison, data from the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) of a random sample of Iowans reports that 64.3 percent of Iowans are considered obese (26.7 percent) or overweight (37.6 percent).
The concept of the food insecure being at risk of developing chronic health problems is not a new one: Garasky said food pantries have historically struggled to provide healthy foods to those in need.
“As a broader population, we are aware of the need to eat quality foods,” Garasky said. “But that also needs to be applied to the donations given to food pantries – we need to be mindful of filling hungry bellies, but filling them with nutritious food.”
Greder said canned items with lower sodium, fruit packed in light syrup, and whole grain bread are simple, affordable – and healthier – pantry donations. She also noted that cash contributions allow pantries more leeway in helping families receive milk and fresh produce.
Well aware of the growing chronic health epidemic, ISU Extension is developing new programs in the Des Moines metro area that better meet the diet and nutrition needs of the food insecure.
“Right now, we have about four initiatives that will likely start sometime this summer or fall,” said Susan Klein, Polk County Extension nutrition and health field specialist. “One that we’re very excited about will help replace canned vegetables with fresh, local produce from an area farmer. I think this would be beneficial on so many levels for everyone involved.”
Other plans include working with dieticians at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines to create a list – and subsequent supply – of “special” foods that better fit within ethnic dietary customs and meet the needs of those with chronic health problems.
“Unfortunately, there is a very strong correlation between those who use food assistance [programs] and obesity levels,” Klein said. “At Extension, we’re working to provide resources and programming that will help with this problem.”
Garasky said obesity, diabetes, and other chronic health problems have implications beyond an individual’s well-being. The consequences of health problems, in addition to food insecurity and issues related to housing, education, and available resources, have created strains on society, he said.
“We have to look at how health and healthy living can affect an individual’s ability to be a productive member of society,” Garasky said. “It is a critical time to invest in programs that teach healthy habits to our children and educate adults on these issues. We need to look ahead and start to make changes today so our communities [and] our country can be better off in the future.”
To stay up to date on the latest in Extension programming, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/healthnutrition/ and www.extension.iastate.edu/hunger.
