Eating on schooldays and non-schooldays among children at risk for food insecurity: Implications for weekend food backpack programs. Issue 3 (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hanson, Karla L.; Connor, Leah
• Is Part Of: Journal of hunger & environmental nutrition. Volume 13:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 322
• Page End: 334
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Food insecurity -- children -- food assistance; Nutrition -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Hunger -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Food supply -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1080/19320248.2017.1364187
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1932-0248

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Anecdotal reports suggest that food insecure children may go hungry when school meals are unavailable. Weekend food backpack (WFB) programs provide children with food for weekends and holidays. We conducted 22 interviews with parents of children at risk of food insecurity, 9 of whom got WFBs. Participants and nonparticipants had similar household resources and food security. Overall, parents found the WBP helpful. WFB snacks were popular with children and eaten quickly, which sometimes conflicted with parenting practices. Other WFB foods were shared within and outside the household. Research is needed to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of the WFB model relative to other interventions to ameliorate food insecurity among children.