Can food vouchers improve nutrition and reduce health inequalities in low-income mothers and young children: A multi-method evaluation of the experiences of beneficiaries and practitioners of the Healthy Start programme in England

BMC Public Health

Volumn 14, Issue 1, 2014, Pages

  McFadden, Alison ^a   Green, Josephine M ^b   Williams, Victoria ^c   McLeish, Jenny ^d   McCormick, Felicia ^b   Fox Rushby, Julia ^e   Renfrew, Mary J ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE   (United Kingdom)

^b UNIVERSITY OF YORK   (United Kingdom)

^c Food Matters Brighthelm Centre   (United Kingdom)

^d Brunel University ^*  (United Kingdom)

^e BRUNEL UNIVERSITY   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

Food subsidy programme; Food vouchers; Fruit and vegetable intake; Healthy Start; Low income families; Maternal and young child nutrition; Nutritional inequalities

Indexed keywords

ADULT; CHILD, PRESCHOOL; DIET; ENGLAND; FEMALE; FOCUS GROUPS; FOOD; FRUIT; GREAT BRITAIN; HEALTH PROMOTION; HEALTH STATUS DISPARITIES; HUMANS; INFANT; INFANT, NEWBORN; METHODS; MOTHERS; NUTRITIONAL STATUS; POVERTY; PREGNANCY; PUBLIC ASSISTANCE; SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS; VEGETABLES; YOUNG ADULT;

ADULT; CHILD, PRESCHOOL; DIET; ENGLAND; FEMALE; FOCUS GROUPS; FOOD; FRUIT; GREAT BRITAIN; HEALTH PROMOTION; HEALTH STATUS DISPARITIES; HUMANS; INFANT; INFANT, NEWBORN; MOTHERS; NUTRITIONAL STATUS; POVERTY; PREGNANCY; PUBLIC ASSISTANCE; SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS; VEGETABLES; YOUNG ADULT;

EID: 84893653334     PISSN: None     EISSN: 14712458     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-148     Document Type: Article

References (55)

1. The role of race and poverty in access to foods that enable individuals to adhere to dietary guidelines. Baker EA, Schootman M, Barnidge E, Kelly C, Prev Chronic Dis 2006 3 3 76 16776877
2. Nutrition interventions in women in low-income groups in the UK. Anderson A, Proc Nutr Soc 2007 66 25 32 17343769 (Pubitemid 46748241)
3. Rights-based approaches to addressing food poverty and food insecurity in Ireland and UK. Dowler EA, O'Connor D, Soc Sci Med 2012 74 1 44 51 10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.08.036 22000764
4. The burden of food related ill health in the UK. Rayner M, Scarborough P, J Epidemiol Community Health 2005 59 12 1054 1057 10.1136/jech.2005.036491 16286493 (Pubitemid 41728272)
5. Food subsidy programs and the health and nutritional status of disadvantaged families in high income countries: a systematic review. Black AP, Brimblecombe J, Eyles H, Morris P, Vally H, O'Dea K, BMC Public Health 2012 12 1099 10.1186/1471-2458-12-1099 23256601
6. Nelson M, Ehrens B, Bates B, Church S, Boshier T, Low income diet and nutrition survey. executive summary London: The Stationery Office 2007
7. Socio-economic differences in fruit and vegetable consumption among Australian adolescents and adults. Giskes K, Turrell G, Patterson C, Newman B, Public Health Nutr 2002 5 5 663 670 12372160
8. A systematic review of socio-economic differences in food habits in Europe: consumption of fruit and vegetables. Irala-Estevez JD, Groth M, Johansson L, Oltersdorf U, Prattala R, Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Eur J Clin Nutr 2000 54 9 706 714 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601080 11002383
9. Environmental determinants of fruit and vegetable consumption among adults: a systematic review. Kamphuis C, Giskes K, de Bruijn G-J, Wendel-Vos W, Brug J, Van Lenthe FJ, Br J Nutr 2006 96 04 620 635 17010219 (Pubitemid 46470185)
10. Sociodemographic factors and attitudes toward food affordability and health are associated with fruit and vegetable consumption in a low-income French population. Bihan H, Castetbon K, Mejean C, Peneau S, Pelabon L, Jellouli F, Le Clesiau H, Hercberg S, J Nutr 2010 140 4 823 830 10.3945/jn.109.118273 20181785
11. A critical analysis of UK public health policies in relation to diet and nutrition in low-income households. Attree P, Matern Child Nutr 2006 2 2 67 78 10.1111/j.1740-8709.2006.00055.x 16881917 (Pubitemid 44056541)
12. Symonds M, Ramsay M, Maternal-fetal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 2010
13. Effect of women's nutrition before and during early pregnancy on maternal and infant outcomes: a systematic review. Ramakrishnan U, Grant F, Goldenberg T, Zongrone A, Martorell R, Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2012 26 Supplement 1 285 301 22742616
14. Fair society, healthy lives: strategic review of health inequalities in England post-2010. Marmot MG, Allen J, Goldblatt P, Boyce T, McNeish D, Grady M, Geddes I, on behalf of the Marmot Review, London: The Marmot Review 2010
15. Inequalities in food and nutrition: challenging 'lifestyles'. Dowler E, Caraher M, Lincoln P, Challenging health inequalities: from Acheson to 'choosing health' Bristol: The Policy Press, Dowler E, Spencer N, 2007 127 155
16. Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Family food 2011 London: Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs 2012
17. Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Food statistics pocketbook 2013 London: Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs 2013
18. Padley M, Hirsch D, Households below a minimum income standard: 2008/09 to 2010/11 Joseph Rowntree Foundation: York, UK 2013
19. The impoverishment of the UK. Poverty and social exclusion UK first results: living standards. Gordon D, Mack J, Lansley S, Main G, Nandy S, Patsios D, Pomati M, Poverty and Social Exclusion team from the University of Bristol, Heriot- Watt University, National Centre for Social Research, et al. Bristol, UK: Poverty and Social Exclusion Unit 2013
20. Jobseeker's allowance. [ https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/what- youll-get ]
21. Dallison J, Lobstein T, Poor expectations: poverty and undernourishment in pregnancy London: National Children's Home Action for Children/ The Maternity Alliance 1995
22. Consumer price index & retail prices index reference tables, September 2012, table 14. [ http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/cpi/consumer-price- indices/september-2012/stb - -consumer-price-indices - -september-2012.html ]
23. Office for National Statistics, Expenditure on food and non-alcoholic drinks by place of purchase, 2011; family spending Newport, South Wales: Office for National Statistics 2012 2012
24. Benefits are changing. [ http://www.cafamily.org.uk/know-your-rights/ benefits-and-tax-credits/forthcoming-benefit-changes/ ]
25. Hirsch D, A minimum income standard for the UK in 2013 Joseph Rowntree Foundation: York 2013
26. The effect of rising food prices on food consumption: systematic review with meta-regression. Green R, Cornelsen L, Dangour AD, Turner R, Shankar B, Mazzocchi M, Smith RD, Br Med J 2013 346 3703 10.1136/bmj.f3703
27. The WIC program: background, trends, and economic issues. 2009 edition. Oliveira V, Fraz∼ao E, Washington, DC: US Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service 2009
28. Healthy start website. [ http://www.healthystart.nhs.uk ]
29. Healthy start. [ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/healthy- start-scheme-research ]
30. Child benefit, child tax credit and working tax credit take-up rates 2010-11. [ http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/fin-takeup-stats/cwtc-take-up.pdf ]
31. Effect of the introduction of 'healthy start' on dietary behaviour during and after pregnancy: early results from the 'before and after' Sheffield study. Ford FA, Mouratidou T, Wademan SE, Fraser RB, Br J Nutr 2009 101 12 1828 1836 10.1017/S0007114508135899 19017424
32. Are the benefits of the 'healthy start' food support scheme sustained at three months postpartum? Results from the Sheffield 'before and after' study. Mouratidou T, Ford FA, Wademan SE, Fraser RB, Matern Child Nutr 2010 6 4 347 357 10.1111/j.1740-8709.2009.00215.x 21050389
33. The food stamp program and low-income households' food purchases. Salathe LE, Agric Econ Res 1980 32 4 33 41
34. Food stamps and the market demand for food. Reed AJ, Levedahl JW, Am J Agric Econ 2010 92 5 1392 1400 10.1093/ajae/aaq069
35. Modeling the effects of the food stamp program on participating households' purchases: an empirical application. Huang C, Fletcher S, Raunikar R, South J Agric Econ 1981 13 2 21 28
36. Food stamp program and consumption choices. Kaushal N, Gao Q, Economic aspects of obesity Chicago: National Bureau of Economic Research and University of Chicago Press, Grossman M, Mocan N, 2011 223 247
37. WIC and the demand for food by the Hispanic community in the United States. Lanfranco BA, Ames GC, Huang CL, Stegelin F, J Food Distribution Res 2001 32 1 85 96
38. Impact of the WIC program on food expenditures. Arcia GJ, Crouch LA, Kulka RA, Am J Agric Econ 1990 72 1 218 226 10.2307/1243161
39. Criteria for evaluating evidence on public health interventions. Rychetnik L, Frommer M, Hawe P, Shiell A, J Epidemiol Community Health 2002 56 2 119 127 10.1136/jech.56.2.119 11812811 (Pubitemid 34098464)
40. Participants' comments on changes in the revised special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children food packages: the Maryland food preference study. Black MM, Hurley KM, Oberlander SE, Hager ER, McGill AE, White NT, Quigg AM, J Am Diet Assoc 2009 109 1 116 123 10.1016/j.jada.2008.10. 016 19103331 (Pubitemid 352841491)
41. Exploring food insecurity among young mothers (15-24 years). Stevens CA, J Spec Pediatr Nurs 2010 15 2 163 171 10.1111/j.1744-6155.2010.00235.x 20367787
42. A barrier to exclusive breastfeeding for WIC enrollees: limited use of exclusive breastfeeding food package for mothers. Holmes AV, Chin NP, Kaczorowski J, Howard CR, Breastfeed Med 2009 4 1 25 30 10.1089/bfm.2008.0110 19196037
43. Hills D, Child C, Junge K, Wilkinson E, Sullivan F, Healthy start: rapid evaluation of early impact on recipients, health professionals, retailers and contractors London: Symbia, Tavistock Institute 2006
44. Dyson L, Renfrew MJ, McFadden A, McCormick F, Herbert G, Thomas J, Promotion of breastfeeding initiation and duration. Evidence into practice briefing London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence 2006
45. Developing evidence-based recommendations in public health-incorporating the views of practitioners, service users and user representatives. Renfrew MJ, Dyson L, Herbert G, McFadden A, McCormick F, Thomas J, Spiby H, Health Expect 2008 11 1 3 15 10.1111/j.1369-7625.2007.00471.x 18275398 (Pubitemid 351239419)
46. Hanley B, Bradburn J, Barnes M, Evans C, Goodare H, Kelson M, Involving the public in National Health Service public health and social care research: briefing notes for researchers (second edition) INVOLVE: Eastleigh, Hampshire, UK 2003
47. Johnson V, Webster J, Reaching the Parts. Community mapping: working together to tackle social exclusion and food poverty London: Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming 2000
48. Using the framework method for the analysis of qualitative data in multi-disciplinary health research. Gale NK, Heath G, Cameron E, Rashid S, Redwood S, BMC Med Res Methodol 2013 13 1 117 10.1186/1471-2288-13-117 24047204
49. Move away from the means test. [ http://www.cpag.org.uk/content/move- away-means-test ]
50. WIC income eligibility guidelines 2013-2014. [ http://www.fns.usda.gov/ wic/wic-income-eligibility-guidelines-2013-2014 ]
51. Welfare benefits uprating act 2013. [ http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ ukpga/2013/16/contents/enacted/data.htm ]
52. Nutrition-sensitive food systems: from rhetoric to action. Pinstrup-Andersen P, Lancet 2013 382 9890 375 376 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61053-3 23746779
53. Diet and nutrition survey of infants and young children 2011. Annexe A: healthy start. Sommerville J, Henderson H, Lennox A, London: Department of Health and Food Standards Agency 2013
54. McAndrew F, Thompson J, Fellows L, Large A, Speed M, Renfrew MJ, Infant feeding survey 2010 Health and Social Care Information Centre: Leeds 2012
55. Why are fewer Moms applying for safety net program? [ http://www.pewstates.org/projects/stateline/headlines/why-are-fewer-moms- applying-for-safety-net-program-85899383310 ]