Funded Projects

Addressing Food Insecurity for Kids' Health

Project Year

2023

City & State

Washington, District of Columbia

Program Name

CATCH Implementation

Topic

Overweight & Obesity (LHI)

Program Description

Addressing Food Insecurity for Kids' Health The problem: Food insecurity is a growing problem in pediatric population which hinders the medical management of conditions such as obesity and hypertension. Food deserts are often seen in lower income areas and where larger numbers of people of color live. A study by Morland et al. showed an association between physical availability of food stores and service and people’s adherence to medical recommendations to a healthy diet. More than 9 million children in the United States are food insecure according to the United States Department of Agriculture. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased food insecurity among communities of color and families with children who previously faced hunger prior to the pandemic. Children affected by food insecurity in the District of Columbia is 15.4% equating to over 19,000 affected youths with nearly 19% who are likely ineligible for federal nutrition programs. Childhood obesity and hypertension are a serious problem in the United States, putting both children and adolescents at risk for poor health as adults with particularly increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Childhood obesity prevalence remains significantly high. For children and adolescents aged 2-19 years in 2017-2020, 14.7 million children and adolescents were affected. Childhood obesity is more common among certain populations with highest prevalence in Hispanic children at 26.2%, 24.8% in non-Hispanic Black children and 16.6% among non-Hispanic White children. High blood pressure is commonly associated with childhood obesity. High blood pressure is becoming more common in children and adolescents with obesity leading to increased risk of cardiovascular disease as adults. The Center for Disease Control showed that 1 in 25 adolescents aged 12 to 19 have hypertension and 1 in 10 have elevated blood pressure per the 2017 American Academy of Pediatric Clinical Practice Guidelines. With the updated 2017 guidelines, 2.6% of children and adolescents were reclassified as having hypertension with nearly half of these newly reclassified children and adolescents affected by obesity. Primary setting: Wards 7 and 8 in District of Columbia Number of children affected: approximately 19,000 Project goal: Identify students and family who have food insecurity who have co-morbid risk of developing or currently have obesity and/or obesity Proposed intervention: The mainstay medical management of both obesity and hypertension are lifestyle modifications that includes increasing physical exercise and maintaining a healthy and well-balanced diet. How do we effectively address this rise in childhood obesity and hypertension with continued increased rate of food insecurity? This project will partner with community general pediatricians to help identify families and patients who are food insecure and have concurrent conditions such as hypertension and/or obesity. Nephrology pediatrician and nutritionist will collaborate with local food pantry to provide a curated list of items that are heart healthy that will promote the medical management of obesity and or hypertension. In addition to referral to local food pantry, an infographic guide to grocery shopping for heart healthy diet and suggested recipes will be provided for those who are identified. Anticipated outcomes: This is a two-pronged approach to bridging the food insecurity meal gap by providing additional food resources and providing nutritional education to promote healthy home cooking. Modeling of healthy lifestyle in a family helps develop a foundation for children continue healthy living throughout their adulthood. Identifying and addressing food insecurity in children with concurrent obesity and hypertension will allow for improved lifestyle management and decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Project Goal

1) Provide direct food resources or aid to students who have or are at risk of obesity and hypertension with food insecurity.

Project Objective 1

By the end of the project, more children and families with food insecurity who are at risk or have concurrent condition(s) of hypertension and/or obesity to provide specific food resources to help manage their condition(s).

Project Objective 2

Provide additional resources for students/families of students who have been identified to have food insecurity with concurrent conditions of hypertension and/or obesity to provide nutritional education of heart healthy diet such as a low sodium diet. Listed below: a) Infographic guide to local grocery stores of what food items are preferred for heart healthy diet that is cost conscious b) heart healthy recipes and cooking classes (virtual and/or in person) in partnership Capital Area Food Bank semi-annually. Recipe book and infographic guide will be provided to 100% of patients who are identified to have or at risk of hypertension/obesity.

Project Objective 3

By the end of the project, 50% more children and families who are food insecure and have concurrent co-morbidities will be have additional food resources to help maintain diet modifications that address their concurrent co-morbidities.

AAP District

District III

Institutional Name

Children's Research Institute

Contact 1

Jennifer Nhan

Contact 2

Celina Brunson