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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Diane C. Martins, PhD, RN, Community Health Nursing, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747, 401-463-7566, jjmartins@cox.net

This study was completed as part of a larger study in which the phenomenon of food insecurity, food survival strategies, food intake, and utilization of food programs and barriers associated with healthful food intake are explored in a homeless population. In Phase 1 of the study, seventy-eight homeless individuals and families were recruited from Crossroads Rhode Island and their mobile treatment van. Willing subjects participated in a face to face survey interview conducted by trained students or staff on site at Crossroads Rhode Island (Providence). Data included demographics, knowledge of and participation in federal and charity food programs, assessment of food security and hunger status (USDA module), collection of a 24-hour dietary recall , and anthropometric measures (weight and height) through the use of a portable research scale and stadiometer. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated for each subject to determine prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity. Waist circumference and blood pressure were also measured as part of the overall health risk assessment. Phase 1 of the study results reveal that this population is at extraordinary nutrition risk and are highly food insecure. Although all would be eligible to receive Food Stamps, only 54% were currently participating. More than half frequented soup kitchens and shelters to obtain food every day. Analysis of the 24-hour dietary recall reveals that the subjects' diet was extraordinarily high in fat and saturated fat, with 75% not consuming any fruit, vegetables, or dairy foods. Overweight and obesity appear as prevalent health issues as 34% were overweight and 43% were obese based on BMI measures; 77% had elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. These findings reinforce the critical importance of providing the homeless with access to relevant nutrition information and counseling. Nutrition education opportunities may be most successful in health clinics frequented by the homeless, and in shelters and soup kitchens.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Increase community health nurses understanding of food intake of the homeless population.
• 2.Describe the relationship between physical measurements and health risk with the homeless population
• 3.Identify public health strategies to decrease nutritional risk with the homeless population.

Keywords: Homeless, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation