Objectives and Design: This cross-sectional, observational study examined the prevalence of objectively measured chronic disease risk factors among a diverse group of food pantry patrons.
Sample and Measurement: Public health nurses performed biometric screenings in community settings for 1,685 unduplicated adults attending food pantries.
Results: Over three fourths of participants (81.1%) were overweight or obese. High cholesterol and high blood pressure were detected in 38.4% and 37.7% of participants, respectively. Over half (58%) of the participants were referred to a local community health clinic for follow-up services.
Conclusion: Interventions should target food pantry patrons to reduce the prevalence of chronic disease conditions among this vulnerable population.
Greer, A. E., Faber, M., Smith, G., Pendley, S., & Kamdar, N. (2021). Objectively measured chronic disease risk among food pantry patrons. Public Health Nursing, 38(5), 920–925. Doi: 10.1111/phn.12915
First published online: 28 May 2021.