Research & Practice
Food Insecurity Screening at Seattle Children’s Adolescent Medicine Clinic: Current Methods and Recommendations
In King County, 11% of 8th grade students, 12% of 10th grade students, and 16% of 12th grade students reported food insecurity (FI) in 2016 on the Washington Healthy Youth Survey. Students screened positively for FI if they reported their family had reduced or skipped meals in the last 12 months because there wasn’t enough money to buy food. In youth, FI is associated with poorer academic achievement, impaired cognitive functions, and more psychosocial problems.
Recently, organizations such as the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have recognized the importance healthcare providers play in screening for FI in children and families. In 2017, the AAP recommended that all pediatricians screen for FI and published a toolkit with guidelines for providers. The AAP recommends using the Hunger VitalSigns to screen for FI, which includes two statements: “Within the past 12 months we worried whether our food would run out before we got money to buy more” and “within the past 12 months the food we bought just didn’t last and we didn’t have money to get more.” A positive response to either of these statements would signal that the child and family are experiencing FI.
Currently, the Adolescent Medicine Clinic, an outpatient Seattle Children’s Hospital clinic, does not utilize a standard method of FI screening. This project aimed to survey Medical, Nutrition, Social Work, and Advanced Practice providers at the clinic to assess the current state of FI screening. Providers screened for FI more frequently with patients who presented with nutrition-related chief complaints or appeared to have previous indications of FI upon chart review. The majority of providers use screening questions that can be considered conversational and normalize FI, as opposed to the Hunger VitalSigns statements. Considering the variability in FI screening, the Adolescent Medicine Clinic should consider providing additional training to providers regarding FI screening methods.
Materials Available
Project Type(s): MPH Practicum, PH Concentration Poster
Author(s): Elizabeth Gore
Program(s): Master of Public Health, RDN Training
Year: 2018
Adviser(s):