Food insecurity and healthcare decision making among mobile food pantry clients in Tampa Bay

Ecol Food Nutr. 2018 May-Jun;57(3):206-222. doi: 10.1080/03670244.2018.1455673. Epub 2018 Apr 3.

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between food insecurity and health-care decision-making among mobile food pantry clients in Tampa Bay, Florida. Results show a high rate of food insecurity, high stress levels, and chronic health conditions among mobile pantry clients, many of whom are long-term users of food pantry services. The fruits and vegetables supplied by the pantry allow clients to manage chronic health conditions and mitigate some of the financial burden of health-care costs. Research was conducted in cooperation with the Anthropology Department at the University of South Florida, Feeding Tampa Bay, and WellCare .

Keywords: Food access; food insecurity; health inequality; mobile food pantry.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Chronic Disease / economics
  • Chronic Disease / psychology
  • Chronic Disease / therapy*
  • Cost of Illness
  • Decision Making*
  • Diet* / psychology
  • Family Characteristics
  • Female
  • Florida
  • Food Assistance*
  • Food Supply* / economics
  • Health Care Costs
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Qualitative Research
  • Self Report
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Urban Health*