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. 2016 Apr;26(2):290-6.
doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckv223. Epub 2016 Feb 11.

The impact of a school food aid program on household food insecurity

Athanassios Petralias  1 , Eleni Papadimitriou  2 , Elena Riza  3 , Margaret R Karagas  4 , Alexia B A Zagouras  5 , Athena Linos  6 ; DIATROFI Program Research Team
Collaborators, Affiliations

The impact of a school food aid program on household food insecurity

Athanassios Petralias et al. Eur J Public Health. 2016 Apr.

Abstract

Background: We had a unique opportunity to establish the extent of food insecurity and the potential impact of a large-scale school-based nutritional program, in low-socioeconomic status districts of Greece, during the current economic crisis.

Methods: Around 162 schools with 25 349 students participated during the 2012-2013 school year. Each student received a daily healthy meal designed by nutrition specialists. Food insecurity levels, measured using the Food Security Survey Module were assessed at baseline and after a 1-8-month intervention period. Pre-post intervention responses were matched at an individual level.

Results: Around 64.2% of children's households experienced food insecurity at baseline. This percentage decreased to 59.1% post-intervention,P< 0.001. On an individual level, food insecurity score diminished by 6.5%,P< 0.001. After adjustment for various socioeconomic factors, for each additional month of participation, the odds of reducing the food insecurity score increased by 6.3% (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.11). Those experiencing food insecurity with hunger at baseline were more likely to improve food insecurity score than those who did not (OR = 3.51, 95%CI: 2.92-4.21).

Conclusion: Children and families residing in low socioeconomic areas of Greece, experience high levels of food insecurity. Our findings suggest that participation in a school-based food aid program may reduce food insecurity for children and their families in a developed country in times of economic hardship.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of participants’ enrolment
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) Food insecurity level in the pre (N = 13 457) and post-intervention (N = 7494) sample. (b) Food insecurity level in the individually linked sample (N = 2886)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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