The hunger-obesity paradox: exploring food banking system characteristics and obesity inequities among food-insecure pantry clients
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Oct 27, 2020
Stowers KC, Marfo NYA, Gurganus EA, et al. - Researchers conducted a qualitative study determining the key stakeholders’ perspectives of the correlation between the US food banking system and obesity disparities among food insecure clients. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 10 key stakeholders (eg, food bank director, food bank board member, advocate) who are familiar with food bank operations. Analysis led to the emergence of multiple themes indicating linkages between structural characteristics of the food banking system and disparities in the dual burden of food insecurity and obesity: [a] access to unhealthy food from donors; [b] federal emergency food policy and programming; [c] state-level emergency food policy and programming; [d] geography-based risk profiles; and [e] insufficient food supply vs client requirement. In addition, interviewees recognized social challenges between system leaders and clients that sustained differences in obesity risk among people with very low food security including: [a] media representation and stereotypes concerning food pantry clients; [b] mistrust in communities of color; [c] lack of inclusion/representation among food bank system leaders; and [d] access to information. Based on findings, they emphasize prioritizing policy, systems, and environmental strategies to overcome these structural and social challenges within the food banking system in future efforts to reduce obesity inequities among clients chronically burdened by food insecurity, especially among certain subpopulations of clients.
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