Lower Socioeconomic Status & Access to Sufficient and Nutritious Foods

Danielle Lamb, Shelby Shaw & Catherine Tuttle

Objectives
After viewing this presentation, students should:

Have an understanding of the link between SES and access to nutritious foods Understand the long-term effects of improper nutrition Understand the importance of nutrition education in lower SES communities Be able to present at least one idea for improving the governmental system

Hunger in America

Over 17 percent of children are overweight and over 66 percent of adults are overweight or obese. Low-income individuals are particularly at-risk. Children are especially vulnerable to issues of hunger and poverty. According to the USDA, 17 million, or nearly one in four children in the U.S., are food insecure and food insecurity can lead to a myriad of health issues in the short- and long-term

Pregnancy & Poor Nutrition

Access to nutritious foods is especially important to expectant mothers. Iron, folate, calcium, zinc and long-chain fatty acids are particularly important but hard to come by when living in lower SES communities Limited nutrition tends to lead to low birth weight

Long Term Effects

Link between poor nutrition and low birth weight

Low birth weight has immediate effects on morbidity and mortality

Link between low birth weight and heart disease later in life

Fetus diverts nutrients to the brain which can lead to a weakened heart

Comparison of Nutrition, Health & Life-style Factors in High and Low SES
Category Smokers Prevalence of Obesity Heavy Coffee Drinkers (>6 cups) High SES 32% 28% 17% Low SES 48% 39% 23%

Skipping Breakfast
Nutritional Supplement Intake

11%
18%

19%
11%

Results for Study in Dutch Nutrition Surveillance System:

The analysis of covariance was used to explore the effects of the aggregate socioeconomic status on dietary intake. The results indicate that a lower SES is accompanied by a higher prevalence of several indicators of an unhealthy lifestyle.

Study Identifying Nutritional Factors Assoc. W/Household Characteristics

Findings support that socioeconomic status is an extension of the malnutrition spectrum in the most disadvantaged population in groups. Study revealed these populations are already in the stage of chronic, nutrition-related diseases associated with less physical activity and more access to highly processed foods of low cost, high dietary energy and low nutrient density.

Healthy Incentives for SNAP

SNAP = Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program As of July 2010, SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) is helping 41.8 million people. In 2008, Healthy Incentives Pilot (HIP) was created to see if an incentive plan to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables would increase the sale of these items. While there is still concern about ease of implementation, program integrity and cost, this program is seeing positive results.

Current restrictions on what you are not allowed to buy: alcohol, cigarettes or tobacco, any non-food items, vitamins and medicines, food that can be eaten in store, and hot foods.

Requirements and Incentives for HIP Fruit and Vegetable Purchase

-Any variety of fresh whole or cut fruit without added sugars. -Any variety of fresh whole or cut vegetable, except white potatoes, without added sugars, fats, or oils (orange yams and sweet potatoes are allowed). -Any variety of canned fruits; including applesauce, juice pack or water pack without added sugars, fats, oils, or salt (i.e.sodium). -Any variety of frozen fruits without added sugars. -Any variety of canned or frozen vegetables -Any type of dried fruit or dried vegetable without added sugars, fats, oils, or salt
-

Financial Incentives of a price reduction in 10 to 20 percent of the fruits and vegetables is showing an increase of purchase. The pilot program in California shows that a price reduction of 30 to 40 percent is too costly to the state despite the positive increase of participation By setting a limit on the amount the individual can purchase will help reduce the costs this program will produce.

Getting the Word Out

Proposed ideas for educating the public about HIP: In person: informing new applicants at time of registration and informing existing participants at time of renewal Mailings Postings on governmental websites Other: advertising in print, broadcast, shelf tags at grocery stores Proposed ideas for getting the participants involved: Educational Brochures: educating the participants on the benefits of buying more of the targeted food and why it is important to the participants and their families Nutrition Education Activities: i.e. food demonstrations, health recipe books, cooking classes, and giveaways

Activity

Small group discussions (4-5 students per group)

Do you agree or disagree with the initiatives and ideas presented? Do you have any ideas of your own for improving nutritional education and access among low SES children and families? Groups will discuss for 15 minutes and then present their ideas to the class.

In Closing
Objectives

Have an understanding of the link between SES and access to nutritious foods Understand the long-term effects of improper nutrition Understand the importance of nutrition education in lower SES communities Be able to present at least one idea for improving the governmental system

References

Feeding America (2010). Hunger in America 2010- Executive Summary. Chicago, IL. Kramer, M. S., Seguin, L., Lydon, J. & Goulet, L. (2000). Socio-economic disparities in pregnancy outcome. Peadiatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, volume 14, page 203. Kryder-Coe, J., Salamon, L. & Molinar, J. (Eds.). (1991). Homeless Children and Youth: A New American Dilemma. Piscataway, N.J.: Transaction Publishers. Lowik, M., Poppel, G., Wedel, M. & Schrijver, J. (1990). Dependence of Vitamin B-6 Status Assessment on Alcohol Intake Among Elderly Men and Women. The Journal of Nutrition, 120 (11), 1344. Paul, Annie M. (2010, October 4). The Womb. Your Mother. Yourself. Time, 176, 50-55. United States Department of Agriculture. (2010). Food and Nutrition Service. Retrieved on October 25, 2010 from http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/Default.htm United States Department of Agriculture. (2010). Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Retrieved on October 25, 2010 from http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/hip/qa-s.htm United States Government Accountability Office. (2008). Food Stamp Program: Options for Delivering Financial Incentives to Participants for Purchasing Targeted Foods. Retrieved on October 25, 2010 from http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08415.pdf.