title: Recent changes in sociodemographic characteristics, dietary behaviors and clinical parameters of adults receiving food assistance in France.
abstract: In 2004-2005, a survey carried out on food recipients in France revealed an alarming nutritional situation. In 2011-2012, and using a protocol similar to that of 2004-2005, our objective was to update the description of sociodemographic characteristics, dietary behaviors and clinical parameters of food assistance recipients and to analyze changes since 2004-2005.
  
  
  
  Both surveys included multistage random sampling of adults benefitting from structures that supply food pantries and charitable grocery stores. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and dietary behaviors were collected along with weight, height and blood pressure measurements. Comparisons between the 2004-2005 (n = 883) and 2011-2012 (n = 1,058) survey observations were made, adjusting for socio-demographic changes which had occurred in the meantime.
  
  
  
  Since 2004-2005, proportions of food recipients ≥55 years (13.1-19.1 %), born in France (29.2-36.8 %) and employed (5.5-11.7 %) have increased; food insufficiency has decreased (95-74 %). For over half of the recipients, canned (52.4 %) and non-perishable (50.9 %) foods were obtained only from food assistance. Frequency of consumption significantly increased even after adjustment for socio-demographic changes; this was the case for dairy products (for twice a day consumption, 30.2-36.4 %), fruits and vegetables (three times a day, 7.8-13.9 %), and meat, eggs and fish (twice a day, 9.4-19.2 %). In 2011-2012, 15.6 % of men and 36.0 % of women were obese, while 44.5 and 35.1 % had high blood pressure, respectively.
  
  
  
  Between 2004-2005 and 2011-2012 in France, consumption of staple foods has been slightly improved in food assistance recipients. However, prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors remains high, which underlines the need for long-term efforts at better quality of foods delivered.
authors: Unité de Surveillance et d'Epidémiologie Nutritionnelle (USEN), Institut de Veille Sanitaire (InVS), Université Paris 13, Centre de Recherche en Epidémiologie et Statistiques, Bobigny, France. Katia.Castetbon@ulb.ac.be.|Université Libre de Bruxelles, Ecole de Santé Publique, Centre de Recherche en Epidémiologie, Biostatistiques et Recherche Clinique, Route de Lennik 808, 1070, Bruxelles, Belgium. Katia.Castetbon@ulb.ac.be.
authors: Katia
authors: K
authors: Castetbon
authors: Observatoire de Santé Ile-de-France, Paris, France.
authors: Dorothée
authors: D
authors: Grange
authors: Observatoire de Santé Ile-de-France, Paris, France.
authors: Gaëlle
authors: G
authors: Guibert
authors: Unité de Surveillance et d'Epidémiologie Nutritionnelle (USEN), Institut de Veille Sanitaire (InVS), Université Paris 13, Centre de Recherche en Epidémiologie et Statistiques, Bobigny, France.|Unité Cardiorespiratoire Diabète (UCARED), Institut de Veille Sanitaire (InVS), Saint-Maurice, France.
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Vernay
authors: Institut National de Prévention et d'Education pour la Santé, Saint-Denis, France.
authors: Hélène
authors: H
authors: Escalon
authors: Observatoire de Santé Ile-de-France, Paris, France.
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Vincelet
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D063105:Food Assistance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005602:France; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Dietary behavior; Food assistance; France; Obesity; Repeated survey