SynthesisPublic health nutrition2024
The impact of food aid interventions on food insecurity, diet quality and mental health in households with children in high-income countries: a systematic review.
Synthesis in Public health nutrition, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Systematic and Narrative Review of the Mediating Role of Personal Relationships Between Mental Health and Nutrition.Nutrients · 2025Pooled it
- Evaluating the role of youth-onset diabetes mellitus in the context of food insecurity and preventive care: a repeated cross-sectional study using propensity score weighted machine learning analysis.BMJ paediatrics open · 2026Article
- Roll-Out Implementation Optimization (ROIO) trial to develop and test the implementation of a food security screening and referral process: a study protocol.Implementation science communications · 2026Article
- Article
- Food pantry organizational features, nutrition environments, and partnerships: a community-engaged study in Southern California.BMC public health · 2026Article
- Sustainable nutrition and athlete well-being: associations with psychological and physical performance indicators.Frontiers in nutrition · 2026Article
- Baby Friendly Spaces+: a process evaluation of an integrative health approach for lactating women and their babies in Nguenyyiel refugee camp, Gambella, Ethiopia.Global health action · 2025Article
- A mixed methods study exploring food insecurity and diet quality in households accessing food clubs in England.BMC public health · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveHouseholds with children accessing food aid in high-income countries are often food insecure. We aimed to review the evidence on food aid interventions in households with children and impact on food insecurity, diet quality and mental health.
designA systematic search was conducted using Web of Science, MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO. Articles published from January 2008 to July 2022 including cross-sectional, cohort and interventional studies in high-income countries were eligible.
settingFood aid is defined as the use of interventions providing free food items by community and/or charitable organisations.
participantsTwo-parent, lone parent or households with a primary caregiver with at least one child ≤ 18 years.
resultsFrom a total of 10 394 articles, nine were included. Food banks, mobile pantry combined with a free meal for children, backpack provision during school term and food parcel home delivery interventions were evaluated. Food bank models offering additional support such as community programmes, health and social services, cooking classes and free meals for children, client-choice-based models and programmes providing convenient access were associated with improved food security and diet quality (increased intake of wholegrains, fruit and vegetables). One study reported an improvement in mental health and food bank access at the end of 18 months but not at earlier timepoints and one study reported no change in parents' mental health.
conclusionsAccessing food aid was linked to improved diet quality and reduced food insecurity in some studies. Allowing clients to choose food items and providing support services were most effective.
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