World Food Day: New clinic-based community program points to improved food security and mental health

16 Oct 2023 --- World Health Day sheds light on food insecurity in wealthy countries in the global north, as the collaborative “Geaux Get Healthy Clinical Program” by the Louisiana State University in the US shows promising results in improving food insecurity in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The program, established in 2020, aims to provide comprehensive education and access to resources to improve the community’s food security.

“It is unique in that we don’t just give food or money to people, but we provide education and access to resources to promote sustainable change,” says Dr. Wesley Ardoin, co-creator and director of the program.

A recent study published in the journal Nutrients examined the program’s impact over two years. It revealed sustainable improvements in the 57 food-insecure research participants’ eating, cooking and shopping behaviors. Their mental health was also shown to have been alleviated.

Educational program
The program includes in-person, firsthand cooking lessons, nutrition classes and a grocery store tour with the American Heart Association Healthy (AHA) for Life curriculum.

The participants were educated on the impact sodium and sugar have on hypertension and diabetes, portion control, food safety, chopping skills and the benefits of eating seasonal produce, among others.

The AHA curriculum was adapted based on feedback from the program participants and team members.

Food safety education covered the need to wash produce, handle raw meat carefully, ensure workspace hygiene, take care when working with sharp knives, conduct refrigerator temperature checks and handwashing.

As part of the program, the participants received educational materials, a free box of fresh produce, frozen chicken, a shopping gift card, a set of measuring cups and spoons and bus passes.

The study’s primary goal was to improve the food insecurity of the individuals who took part, and the secondary goal was to enhance health behaviors and decrease depression scores. The program was shown to improve the participants' food security and mental health.

Positive results
Before the start of the program, participants’ scored a 5.68, signifying “‘very low food security” on a questionnaire developed by the US Department of Agriculture. After completing the program, the mean food security score improved to 2.67, which, when rounded up to 3, points to “low food security.”

Their mean score improved in the six months following the study, reaching 2.4, within the “marginal food security” category.

Furthermore, participants’ fruit consumption rose from 1.47 servings per day to 2.15. Daily vegetable consumption similarly increased, from 1.75 to 2.63 daily servings.

Study participants also indicated feeling more confident in their abilities to follow a recipe and prepare a healthy meal. They reported healthier shopping habits, such as checking the nutritional values on labels.

Prior to the start of the program, the mean score from the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was 6.97, signifying mild depression. Following its completion, this score plummeted to 3.56, which falls within the normal range.

Health benefits community program
The researchers conclude that the study’s positive findings could be replicated elsewhere by establishing similar clinic-based community programs to improve food security, eating and shopping behaviors and mood.

They further highlight the significance of their study within their local context, as the prevalence of food insecurity is particularly high in Louisiana. According to the paper, the state’s food insecurity was 14.5% in 2022, higher than the national average of 10.4%, ranking in prevalence only behind Mississippi and Arkansas.

Food security in the global north is impacted by numerous complex factors, with the prevalence of ultra-processed food (UPS) being a key factor. Another recent study revealed that 14% of adults and 12% of children could be addicted to UPFs.

By Milana Nikolova

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