food, health and homelessness alison mckay [email protected]
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Food, health and homelessness Alison [email protected]
Homelessness in Hampshire
Climate of increasing homelessness across
UK and in Hampshire.
Lacking accurate definitions and counts
statutory vs single homeless/rough
sleepers/hidden homeless
Vulnerable and marginalised group
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
What is Public Health Nutrition (PHN)
The promotion of good health through the primary prevention of diet-related illness in the population
What people eat Nutritional needs through the lifespan Dietary recommendations Nutritional surveillance Achieving change Food supply, food safety and policy
Is PHN relevant for the homeless?
Food related homeless services Homeless services:
Types: Day centres, hostels and supported accommodation Churches and voluntary groups
Food provision: Food or cooking facilities Resources are limited – financial, human Often depend on donations of food and/or money
Examples of good practice; Edinburgh Cyrenian’s St Mungo’s
Why is food important for homeless people?
A nutritious and healthy diet is important:
In restoring and safeguarding health
In improving quality of life
In helping people make a sustainable recovery from homelessness.
Short term consequences of a poor diet
Low energy, tiredness Irritability and lack of concentration Increased susceptibility to infection
Poor diet and longer term healthOften a tri-morbidity of:
physical illness, mental health problems substance abuse
Common health problems: Dental caries and gum disease Liver disease Exacerbation of pre-existing health conditions Increased risk of premature mortality
Role of diet and lifestyle ???
Food and health projectAim:
To understand the eating habits and food acquisition practices of the users of Southampton's homeless services
Key activities: Interviews with service providers Service users’ survey
4 homeless services in Southampton: 1 Day centre 1 Hostel with full board 1 Hostel with self catering facilities 1 Supported accommodation project
79 single homeless participants Those who agreed to participate out of 111 individuals
approached
Homeless peoples’ food patterns
63% of participants ate at least 2 meals daily
14% ate only one small meal daily
2 individuals ate no regular meals
Rough sleepers and those not engaged with homeless services most at risk of poor nutrition.
Where do homeless people eat? Food sources 4-7 days weekly
Hostels were a regular food source for nearly half of the survey participants.
n =79
Alternative food sources
Begging for money for food, stealing, raiding bins and selling property were commonly used
05
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Part
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Barriers to homeless people eating wellService provider:
Food availability Variety of food Cost Nutritional quality
Service user: Lack of nutritional knowledge and skills Addictive behaviours of clients Poor physical and/or mental health Lack of interest
Factors influencing food related health and wellbeing
What next for food and health?Food, nutrition and homelessness policy Multi-sector approachUsing food as centre of community and
skills building Cooking, shopping, budgeting skills
Local needs assessments Screening for nutritional needs
Summary Good food and nutrition are vital for health Homeless people have worse health
outcomes than the general population Little guidance or financial help for food-
related homeless services There are numerous barriers to eating well
To improve nutritional health and wellbeing a multi-sector, practical and educational approach is needed.
References1. Fitzpatrick S Pawson H Bramley G Wilcox S. The Homelessness Monitor:
Great Britain 2012. London: Heriot Watt University, University of York Crisis, 2012.
2. Maslow A. Motivation and Personality. New York: Harper; 1954.3. Department of Health. The Eatwell Plate Resources. DoH. London: TSO;
2011.4. Saeland M Haugen M Eriksen F Wandel M Smehaugen A Bohmer T and
Oshauger A. High sugar consumption and poor nutrient intake among drug addicts in Oslo, Norway. Br J Nutr. 2011;105:618-24.
5. Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom. Food poverty and health: Briefing statement. London: Faculty of Public Health, 2005.
6. St Mungo's. Homelessness: It makes you sick. London: St Mungo's, 2008Homeless Link. The Health and Wellbeing of People who are Homeless. London: Homeless Link, 2010.
7. Homeless Link. The Health and Wellbeing of People who are Homeless. London: Homeless Link, 2010.
8. Crisis. Homelessness: A silent killer - a research briefing on mortality amongst homeless people. London: University of Sheffield, 2011.
