An explorative cross-sectional study examining self-reported health and nutritional status of disadvantaged people using food banks in Germany

International Journal for Equity in Health

Nanette Stroebele-Benschop¹  Peter Tinnemann²  Carolin Hilzendegen¹  Julia Depa¹ 

[1] Institute of Nutritional Medicine, Department of Nutritional Psychology, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstraße 12, Stuttgart, 70599, Germany;Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, Luisenstr. 57, Berlin, 10117, Germany

关键词: Low socioeconomic status;    Nutrition;    Health;    Food bank;   

Others  :  1235675
DOI  :  10.1186/s12939-015-0276-6

 received in 2015-06-30, accepted in 2015-11-19,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Background

Even in high-income countries some population groups depend on food banks to support their food intake. We aimed to explore and compare health and nutritional status of food bank clients (Tafel e.V.) in different cities in Germany.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, self-reported health and nutritional status of food bank clients living in three cities (Berlin - capital, Ludwigsburg- affluent city, Fulda - small town) which differ in size, available income and poverty rate, were assessed and compared to survey variables of the low socioeconomic status population of national surveys (DEGS and GEDA).

Results

Across cities, food bank clients (N = 276, response rate of 21.5 %) did not differ in main socio-demographic characteristics (age, nationality, education, professional qualification, household income). Smoking, having at least one chronic illness, estimating their own health status as moderate to poor and low consumption of fruits and vegetables were common characteristics. Comparing selected variables with the low socioeconomic status population of DEGS and GEDA, differences were found for a higher prevalence of diabetes among food bank clients and a worse self-reported health status. Considerably lower fruit consumption and lower hypertension prevalence among female and lower overweight rates among male food bank clients were found.

Conclusions

Although people using food banks vary in socio-demographic background, no differences for main demographics across the cities were found. In addition, the study suggests that for some health- and nutrition-related variables, national surveys in Germany might underestimate socioeconomic differences.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Depa et al.

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