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Roncarolo F, Mercille G, Riva M, Pérez E, Blanchet R, Carabali M, Sylvestre MP, Potvin L. The Pathways study: a cohort study of new food-aid users in rural, semi urban, and urban areas of Quebec, Canada. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1607. [PMID: 37612709 PMCID: PMC10463898 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16393-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While considerable research has been conducted on household food insecurity (HFI), little research has examined the effects of food donation programs on users' living conditions. The Pathways study was established to investigate the long-term effects of food donation programs on food insecurity as well as other critical outcomes, such as diet, health, and social support. Herein, we describe the design of the Pathways Study and the participants' characteristics at baseline. METHODS The Pathways study is a prospective cohort study of 1001 food-aid users in Quebec (Canada). We recruited newly registered users of food donation programs from 106 community-based food-aid organizations that partnered with the study. Baseline data were collected through face-to-face interviews from September 2018 to January 2020, with planned follow-up interviews at 12 and 24 months after enrollment. Household food insecurity, diet, food competencies, food shopping behaviors, perceived food environment, health status, social support and isolation, sociodemographic characteristics, housing conditions, negative life events, and the impacts of COVID-19 were assessed with validated questionnaires. RESULTS The cohort included 1001 participants living in rural (n = 181), semi-urban (n = 250), and urban areas (n = 570). Overall, household food insecurity was reported as severe among 46.2% and moderate in 36.9% of participants. Severe household food insecurity was more prevalent in rural (51.4%) and urban (47.8%) areas compared to semi-urban (39%) areas. Overall, 76.1% of participants reported an annual income below C$20,000. Half (52%) had low education levels (high school or lower), 22.0% lived in single-parent households, and 52.1% lived alone. Most (62.9%) experienced at least one major financial crisis in the preceding year. CONCLUSIONS Results show that newly registered users of food donation programs often have low-income and severe food insecurity, with major differences across geographical locations. The Pathways study is the first study designed to follow, over a 2-year period, a cohort of newly registered users of food donation programs and to quantify their trajectories of service use. Findings from the Pathways study might help adapt the community response to the strategies used by food-insecure households to feed themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Roncarolo
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-L'Ile-de-Montréal et Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
- Chaire de Recherche du Canada Approches Communautaires et Inégalités de Santé, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Geneviève Mercille
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-L'Ile-de-Montréal et Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
- Department of Nutrition, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mylene Riva
- Department of Geography, McGill University, Canada Research Chair in Housing, Community and Health, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Elsury Pérez
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-L'Ile-de-Montréal et Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
- Chaire de Recherche du Canada Approches Communautaires et Inégalités de Santé, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, École de Santé Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Rosanne Blanchet
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-L'Ile-de-Montréal et Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, École de Santé Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mabel Carabali
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-L'Ile-de-Montréal et Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Pierre Sylvestre
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, École de Santé Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Louise Potvin
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-L'Ile-de-Montréal et Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada.
- Chaire de Recherche du Canada Approches Communautaires et Inégalités de Santé, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, École de Santé Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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Kim JH, Choe K, Lee K. Effects of Food Art Therapy on the Self-Esteem, Self-Expression, and Social Skills of Persons with Mental Illness in Community Rehabilitation Facilities. Healthcare (Basel) 2020; 8:healthcare8040428. [PMID: 33114448 PMCID: PMC7712142 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare8040428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Persons with mental illness often have low self-esteem, a lack of self-expression, and poor social skills. This study used a quasi-experimental two-group pre-test-post-test design to investigate the effects of food art therapy on the self-esteem, self-expression, and social skills of persons with mental illness attending community rehabilitation facilities. The authors recruited persons with mental illness aged 18 years or older attending three community rehabilitation facilities. Participants in two rehabilitation facilities participated in food art therapy (experimental groups 1 and 2; n = 15 for each group), and participants in the third rehabilitation facility participated in regular programs of the facility (control group, n = 30). Participants in the experimental groups attended a total of eight sessions of food art therapy twice per week for four weeks. The Korean versions of the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, self-expression scale, and social skill rating system were administered at pre- and post-test in both the experimental and control groups. The self-esteem, self-expression, and social skills of the experimental group improved significantly compared to the control group. The findings suggested that food art therapy would be an excellent psychosocial intervention to help persons with mental illness to rehabilitate in the community.
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Rees J, Christophersen CC, Lewis JR, Lo J, Sambell R, Costello L, Walker C, Byrne MF, Boyce MC, Newton RU, Devine A. The study protocol for a pseudo-randomised pre-post designed controlled intervention trial to study the effects of a 7-week cooking program on self-efficacy and biomarkers of health: the ECU lifestyle and biomarkers get connected study (ECULABJMOF) including the Jamie's Ministry of Food WA participant experience. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1037. [PMID: 32605552 PMCID: PMC7325354 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09124-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Australia, like other nations, has experienced a shift in dietary patterns away from home cooking of nutritious foods, towards a reliance on pre-prepared convenience meals. These are typically energy-dense, nutrient-poor and contribute to the rising prevalence of obesity and chronic disease burden. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether a community-based cooking program instigated a change to participants' skills, attitudes, knowledge, enjoyment and satisfaction of cooking and cooking confidence (self-efficacy). METHODS The pseudo-random, pre-post study design consisted of an intervention and a control group. Participant recruitment and group allocation was based on their program start dates. Intervention participants were surveyed three times (baseline, 7 weeks and 6 months) and the control group were surveyed at baseline and 5 weeks. All participants were registered via an online website and were 18 years or over. Upon consent, participants were offered four levels of commitment, defined by different assessments. The minimum participation level included an online survey and levels 2, 3 and 4 involved attendance at a clinic with increasing functional, anthropometric and biomarker measurements. Primary endpoints were participants' cooking confidence as a proxy for self-efficacy. Secondary endpoints were dietary intake, physical activity levels, body composition, anthropometry, blood, urine and faecal biomarkers of systemic, physical and mental health. DISCUSSION The community cooking program provided participants with information and advice on food sourcing, preparation and nutrition to improve home cooking skills. The study was designed to explore whether food literacy programs are efficacious in improving participant physical health and well-being in order to combat the rise in obesity and diet-related disease. It will support future use of public health cooking program initiatives aimed at improving food literacy, self-efficacy and physical and mental health. The extensive data collected will inform future research into the relationship between diet, the gut-microbiota and human health. TRIAL REGISTRATION Retrospectively registered on 16.08.2019 with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). ACTRN12619001144101 . Protocol version 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Rees
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Perth, WA, 6027, Australia.
| | - Claus C Christophersen
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Perth, WA, 6027, Australia
- WA Human Microbiome Collaboration Centre, School of Molecular & Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Joshua R Lewis
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Perth, WA, 6027, Australia
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Johnny Lo
- School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Ros Sambell
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Perth, WA, 6027, Australia
| | - Leesa Costello
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Perth, WA, 6027, Australia
| | - Cailyn Walker
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Perth, WA, 6027, Australia
| | - Matt F Byrne
- School of Education, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Mary C Boyce
- School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Centre for Integrated Metabolomics and Computational Biology, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Robert U Newton
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Perth, WA, 6027, Australia
- Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Amanda Devine
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Perth, WA, 6027, Australia
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Herbert J, Flego A, Gibbs L, Waters E, Swinburn B, Reynolds J, Moodie M. Wider impacts of a 10-week community cooking skills program--Jamie's Ministry of Food, Australia. BMC Public Health 2014; 14:1161. [PMID: 25496263 PMCID: PMC4295497 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-1161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Jamie’s Ministry of Food (JMoF) Australia is a 10-week community-based cooking skills program which is primarily aimed at increasing cooking skills and confidence and the promotion of eating a more nutritious diet. However, it is likely that the program influences many pathways to behaviour change. This paper explores whether JMoF impacted on known precursors to healthy cooking and eating (such as attitudes, knowledge, beliefs, cooking enjoyment and satisfaction and food purchasing behaviour) and whether there are additional social and health benefits which arise from program participation. Methods A mixed method, quasi-experimental longitudinal evaluation with a wait-list control was conducted. Intervention participants were measured using repeated questionnaires at three time points; before and after the program and at six-month follow-up. Control participants completed the questionnaire 10 weeks before their program and at program commencement. Quantitative analysis used a linear mixed model approach and generalised linear models for repeated measures using all available data. Qualitative methods involved 30-minute repeated semi-structured interviews with a purposively selected sample, analysed thematically. Results Statistically significant differences between groups and over time were found for a reduction of take away/fast food weekly purchasing (P = 0.004), and increases in eating meals at the dinner table (P = 0.01), cooking satisfaction (P = 0.01), and the ability to prepare a meal in 30 minutes (P < 0.001) and from basics that was low in cost (P < 0.001). The qualitative findings supported the quantitative results. Repeat qualitative interviews with fifteen participants indicated increased confidence and skills gained from the program to prepare meals from scratch as well as increases in family involvement in cooking and meal times at home. Conclusions Jamie’s Ministry of Food, Australia resulted in improvements in participants’ food and cooking attitudes and knowledge, food purchasing behaviours and social interactions within the home environment, which were sustained six months after the program. Trial registration Australian and New Zealand Trial registration number: ACTRN12611001209987. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-1161) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Herbert
- Deakin Health Economics, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Community kitchens have been implemented by communities as a public health strategy to prevent food insecurity through reducing social isolation, improving food and cooking skills and empowering participants. The aim of the present paper was to investigate whether community kitchens can improve the social and nutritional health of participants and their families. DESIGN A systematic review of the literature was conducted including searches of seven databases with no date limitations. SETTING Community kitchens internationally. SUBJECTS Participants of community kitchens across the world. RESULTS Ten studies (eight qualitative studies, one mixed-method study and one cross-sectional study) were selected for inclusion. Evidence synthesis suggested that community kitchens may be an effective strategy to improve participants' cooking skills, social interactions and nutritional intake. Community kitchens may also play a role in improving participants' budgeting skills and address some concerns around food insecurity. Long-term solutions are required to address income-related food insecurity. CONCLUSIONS Community kitchens may improve social interactions and nutritional intake of participants and their families. More rigorous research methods, for both qualitative and quantitative studies, are required to effectively assess the impact of community kitchens on social and nutritional health in order to confidently recommend them as a strategy in evidence-based public health practice.
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