Families Benefit After Utilization of a Clinic-Based Food Pantry Irrespective of Food Insecurity Experiences in a Pediatric Obesity Treatment Program

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the congruence between food insecurity screening outcome and clinic-based food pantry utilization and to examine caregiver reported comfort, motivation, and benefits of utilization. Design Mixed-methods study. Setting Academic pediatric obesity treatment clinic. Subjects Convenience sample of caregivers. Intervention Clinic-based food pantry offered irrespective of food insecurity screening outcome. Measures Food insecurity screening (Hunger Vital Sign) and severity, self-rated caregiver health, willingness to disclose food insecurity and receive food, and food-related stress. Analysis Chi-square and t-tests were utilized to examine associations and descriptive analysis explored benefits. Rapid qualitative analysis was utilized to identify themes. Results Caregivers of 120 children were included (child mean age 11.8; 56.7% female, 67.6% Non-Hispanic Black), with 47 of 59 eligible completing follow-up surveys and 14 completing in-depth interviews. Approximately half (N = 30/59, 50.8%) of families utilizing the food pantry screened negative for food insecurity. Families utilizing the food pantry were more likely to report severe food insecurity (N = 23/59; 38.9%) compared to those declining (N = 3/61; 4.9%, P < .001). Caregivers accepting food were able to meet a child health goal (N = 30/47, 63.8%). Caregivers reported feeling comfortable receiving food (N = 13/14) and felt utilizing the food pantry led to consumption of healthier foods (N = 7/14). Conclusions Families who screened both positive and negative for food insecurity utilized and benefited from a clinic-based food pantry. Clinics should consider strategies offering food resources to all families irrespective of screening outcome.