Abstract
Introduction
Our objectives were to (a) identify rates of food insecurity among patients seen in
a pediatric weight management clinic and (b) test a pilot intervention to address
food insecurity in the identified patients.
Methods
All new patients seen in the clinic were screened for food insecurity and Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit status. Families with food insecurity
and no SNAP benefits were asked if they wanted SNAP enrollment assistance from a partnering
food bank. Those agreeing to assistance were connected to the food bank.
Results
A total of 116 new patients were evaluated in the clinic during the intervention;
28 (24%) endorsed food insecurity, and 40 (34%) were eligible for SNAP enrollment
assistance. Three (8%) of the eligible patients completed the SNAP enrollment process.
Discussion
Food insecurity in this pediatric weight management clinic was common. However, even
when given direct access to SNAP enrollment assistance, only a small minority of patients
matriculated into this program.
Key Words
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Biography
Claudia K. Fox, Assistant Professor, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Biography
Nicole Cairns, Research Assistant, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Biography
Muna Sunni, Assistant Professor, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Biography
Gail L. Turnberg, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Biography
Amy C. Gross, Assistant Professor, Division of Clinical Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 16, 2016
Footnotes
Conflicts of interest: None to report.
Identification
Copyright
Copyright © 2016 by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
