The Perception of the Food Pantry Customer Receiving Diabetes-Friendly Food Boxes

Food insecurity is on the rise in the United States, and food insecure individuals are more likely to have diabetes than those who are food secure. Diabetes self-management may be impaired as a result of food insecurity, and there are limited studies that examine the effect food distributed by food pantries can have on the management of diabetes. A greater understanding of what types of foods provided by food pantries will be most beneficial to food insecure individuals with diabetes could have a significant impact on better meeting the individual’s medical needs to assist diabetes control. The objective of this study was to identify both the positive outcomes and the challenges of receiving diabetes-friendly (low-glycemic index) food boxes developed for food insecure individuals with type 2diabetes using food pantries. The analysis is based upon three focus groups and one interview with participants of an on-going study, conducted from October through November 2012. An open-ended question thread was utilized during the focus groups and interview. The data was transcribed from the audio-recorded sessions and analyzed by identifying, coding, and categorizing primary patterns/themes in the data. Participants cited similar responses resulting in six overarching themes: (1) participants are grateful for the food boxes, (2) participants share food box items with multiple people, (3) participants provided support to the fellow group members, (4) participants noted exposure to new foods, (5) perceptions of diabetes health improved due to the food boxes, and (6) the process for pick-up affected participants’ lives. The findings suggest the diabetes-friendly food boxes are beneficial for food insecure individuals with type 2 diabetes by exposing them to new food items and improving their diabetes management as stated by the participants. Also the findings indicate and increased need for supplemental information regarding food preparation and recipes as well as further diabetes education classes and/or materials.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Allied Medical Professions

Grantor dc:publisher

The Ohio State University

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Groseclose, Laura A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Wolf, Kay N.

• Nutrition
• food pantry customer
• diabetes
• food insecurity
• food boxes

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1354210391

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:osu1354210391