UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
DeSilvey, Sarah Candace
Dept./Program:
Nursing
Year:
2012
Degree:
MS
Abstract:
The most recent data shows that the prevalence of food insecurity in US households with children was nearly. the highest it has been in a decade, 20.2%. There has been extensive research over the last decades into the sequalae of household food insecurity. In children particularly, associations to food insecurity have been found for many pediatric conditions including iron deficiency anemIa, headaches and stomach aches, poor health status, increased hospitalizations, asthma, and chronic health conditions, Diabetes, depression, suicidality, developmental risk, attachment issues, decreased school performance and increased grade repetition. Yet, no prevalence or association studies have been done from an inpatient-perspective. This study sought to investigate the prevalence of food insecurity and its possible associations by implementing a newly proven 2-item food insecurity screen to patients admitted from June 1st to August 31st 2011 to the inpatient pediatric unit of a New England Tertiary Hospital. The inpatient prevalence proved significantly lower than the community prevalence and associations were found to food stamp use, WIC use and number of admissions over the course of the study.