Oral

Ensuring healthy food is available for the most food- and economically-insecure members of our society is a priority of the public health community. This session will ethnographic, and qualitative findings on the barriers lower-income populations face in accessing healthy foods in their communities. A quantitative analysis identifies associations between food insecurity and consumption of a variety of healthy and unhealthy food items in food insecure families compared to food secure families. Last a randomized, controlled evaluation will access the efficacy of a food pantry intervention in addressing food insecurity.

Session Objectives: 1. Demonstrate multiple factors that interact to influence dietary behaviors and obesity risk in low income African American families. 2. Discuss the attitudes and behaviors of children, parents and school staff regarding healthy eating in a low-income urban setting. 3. Describe the unique experience of food insecurity for a sample of low-income and undocumented Latino immigrants. 4. Discuss ways food pantries and other public health advocates can help their clients maintain food security.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)