Purdue University
Dietary quality is the lowest in the lifespan during childhood through adolescents, a period of rapid growth and development. Protein food recommendations and requirements for protein as a nutrient, along with other nutrients, are unmet by the largest percentage of any age group during adolescence with additional risks for those living in low-resource households. High quality animal source proteins and other healthful foods including fruits, vegetables, dairy and whole grains are less accessible to households with fewer economic resources. Food box interventions have been successful in improving dietary quality in other community interventions, especially when these interventions provide culturally relevant foods with nutrition education support that is tailored to the population. This study will evaluate the effect of a weekly, 12-month food box intervention program, referred to as the Nutrition Secure Indianapolis (NSI) Program, on child dietary quality and household food security in low-income, ethnically diverse populations using a longitudinal, controlled design. Low-income households (n=500) in Indianapolis participating in the NSI Program will be invited to join a research program evaluation study. Study assessments will include repeated 24-hour dietary recalls to determine usual intake, the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module, a short-form mental health assessment, and a voluntary health screening, from before and after the 12-month intervention period. The aim of this study is to improve dietary quality per the Healthy Eating Index and other dietary outcomes among children and adolescents living in low-resource and ethnically diverse households through a longitudinal healthful food box intervention containing animal source proteins and other dietary components, compared with a control.
In 2023, food insecurity, defined as reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet with or without reduced food intake, affected 17.9 percent of households with children in the United States. Food insecurity may impact the growth and development of school-aged children and adolescents, increasing the risk of behavioral and emotional problems, reduced academic performance, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. In addition to mental and emotional health, childhood food insecurity is associated with poor physical health outcomes, such as increased risk of cardiovascular dis…
Inclusion Criteria: * Lives in Indianapolis Neighborhood * 18 years or older * Reads and speaks English or Spanish * Willingness to answer study assessments at the beginning and again one year later at the end of the study * Has a child (or is the legal guardian) aged 5-18 years old who lives with them during the week while the child attends school (not preschool) * Willingness to allow one of their children to participate in the study and complete study assessments * Willingness to stay in touch with research staff for the entire length of the study (\~13-14 months) Exclusion Criteria: \-…
The 250 intervention group families will receive a weekly food box that contains 8 lb animal protein and 16 lb dairy (1/2 gl milk), 2-3 varieties of fruits/vegetables/wk (10 lbs), and whole grains (1 lb) where total HEI\>80. Food boxes will be distributed for 1 year. As such, the study is expected to take approximately 13-14 months to complete.
Families in the experimental group who are receiving the food box will also be encouraged to attend monthly educational courses, including information on cooking skills, gardening, financial literacy, as well as nutrition education classes.