title: Screening for Food Insecurity in Pediatric Clinical Settings: Opportunities and Barriers.
abstract: Food insecurity is a serious health concern among children in the United States with 15.3 million children living in food insecure households. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatricians screen for food insecurity at health maintenance visits as identifying children at risk is a crucial step in the amelioration of food insecurity. Two surveys were administered in a Midwest pediatric clinic. A cross-sectional survey was electronically distributed to pediatric providers to assess perceptions of food insecurity among patients, provider readiness to conduct food security screenings, and barriers to conducting those screenings. A cross-sectional caregiver survey was administered to assess demographics, household food security status, participation in nutrition assistance programs, and barriers to getting enough food to eat. Descriptive statistics and odds ratios were calculated. Eighty-eight percent of physicians believe that food insecurity is a challenge for some of their patients. Only 15 % of providers reported screening for food insecurity, while 80 % were willing to screen. Physicians were most concerned with knowing how to handle a positive screen. Among caregivers, 57 % screened positive for food insecurity. Those experiencing food insecurity were more likely to be non-white, participate in SNAP and to feel discomfort towards the idea of talking to a doctor or nurse about food needs. Caregivers reporting food insecurity were significantly less likely to have a personal vehicle. Effective food insecurity screening requires addressing caregiver and health provider barriers in order to increase the likelihood of identifying households most at risk.
authors: Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice, 3545 Lafayette Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA. Barnidge@slu.edu.
authors: Ellen
authors: E
authors: Barnidge
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors: Gene
authors: G
authors: LaBarge
authors: Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice, 3545 Lafayette Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA.
authors: Kathryn
authors: K
authors: Krupsky
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors: Joshua
authors: J
authors: Arthur
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015146:Midwestern United States; D010290:Parents; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Food insecurity; Food insecurity screening; Pediatrics