Nutrition Supports Deconstructed and Disrupted: An Evaluation of a Multilevel School-Based Intervention during the Time of COVID.

Rachael D Dombrowski,Kathryn A G Knoff,Bree Bode,E Whitney G Moore,James Mallare,Noel Kulik

doi:10.3390/ijerph182111006

Rachael D Dombrowski, Kathryn A G Knoff + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111006

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Abstract

The Best Food Forward (BFF) project aims to provide multiple nutrition supports and interventions to improve family food security (FS) and health outcomes associated with FS within two metropolitan school districts. A quasi-experimental time-series design guided a multilevel evaluation for BFF through surveys, biometric screenings, focus groups, and observations among a random sample of caregiver–child dyads. FS, utilization of school meal programs, and nutrition behaviors were observed and analyzed at three time points: preintervention, postintervention pre-COVID-19, and postintervention post-COVID-19. Participants included 122 parents and 162 youth. Families reported (1) an income less than $35,000 annually (48.8%) and (2) a COVID-19-related job loss (36.9%). Parents used Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs or Women, Infants, Children benefits prior to (51.1%) and following COVID-19 (50.0%). No significant differences in FS were found. RM-ANOVA indicated an increase in breakfast consumption at home and a decrease in use of the school breakfast program (F(1.78, 74) = 19.64, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.21) and school lunch program (F(1.51, 74) = 23.30, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.24). Rates of FS and eating behaviors did not change significantly over time. Correlations of program usage and eating behaviors demonstrate the importance of promoting participation in school meal programs. BFF may have prevented significant decreases in FS during COVID-19.

Highlights

Published: 20 October 2021A significant proportion of populations throughout the globe experienced food insecurity prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (687.7 million) and the rate of food insecurity is projected to increase (>800 million people) through 2030, regardless of the effects of the pandemic [1,2,3]
There are lessons learned from this study that should be applied when implementing food access interventions in school-based settings both with and without the lens of COVID19
A coordinated nutrition security approach could be adopted at the federal level and implemented at the state and local levels that capitalizes on local assets and resources to meet community needs

Summary

Introduction

Published: 20 October 2021A significant proportion of populations throughout the globe experienced food insecurity prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (687.7 million) and the rate of food insecurity is projected to increase (>800 million people) through 2030, regardless of the effects of the pandemic [1,2,3]. Systems, and environments (PSEs) within communities, states, and countries can either support or hinder access to, availability of, and consumption of healthy foods; they have a direct effect on the food security of local populations [4]. This was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when additional nutrition and economic supports were provided to low-income communities throughout the U.S and steadied food insecurity rates despite increased job and income loss among millions of families [1,2,3,4,5]. PSEs that are not formulated with a health equity lens have

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