Grant: Project Grant

Food insecurity occurs when people do not have reliable economic or physical access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. Nutrition insecurity occurs when diets are not adequate in terms of variety, diversity, nutrient content, and safety to meet needs for a healthy life. Although food and nutrition insecurity have been identified as public health issues in Manitoba, there is a lack of current, detailed data for program planning and policy development to address these issues among Manitoba youth. This is especially concerning for Indigenous and newcomer youth, who are more vulnerable because of lower socio-economic status. Food and nutrition insecurity exacerbate inequities and increase risk of poorer future health and education outcomes. Working with over 15 partners, this integrated knowledge-translation study will assess food and nutrition insecurity in Manitoba youth, and how the intersection of these conditions impacts health and education outcomes. Aims: 1) describe patterns of food and nutrition insecurity, and associated dietary intakes and behaviours, in youth; 2) examine whether food bank usage and income can be used as a proxy measures for food and nutrition insecurity in youth; 3) examine the relationship between determinants of health, food/nutrition security status, and health/educational outcomes; 4) develop empirical evidence to inform food and nutrition security programs and policies. These aims will be achieved by: surveying the food/nutrition security status, and dietary/food behaviour patterns of grade 9 students; analyzing food bank use data; linking results with administrative data; and sharing results with stakeholders and decision-makers. The research will contribute to reducing disparities by generating important information which can be used by education, government and community experts to design and implement programs/policies (e.g. income security; housing support; school food and nutrition programs; surveillance).