{"title":"Evaluation of Baseline Data From a Wellness Intervention for Individuals Living in Transitional Housing","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jneb.2024.05.021","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Research has indicated a correlation between homelessness and adverse health effects, yet comprehensive health assessments among individuals experiencing homelessness are limited.</p></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><p>To assess various health metrics, including diet, physical activity, body composition, and quality of life, among individuals experiencing homelessness.</p></div><div><h3>Study Design, Settings, Participants</h3><p>This study was an 8-week health and wellness pilot intervention among transitional housing residents at a homeless resource center (n=29). For the present analysis, only the baseline data were included.</p></div><div><h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3><p>Baseline measurements encompassed body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, body composition (body fat percentage, fat free mass, fat mass), handgrip strength, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, heart rate, diet quality (Healthy Eating Index 2015), and health-related quality of life. Qualitative survey data were coded independently by researchers to identify barriers, data were reconciled, and themes identified.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Most participants were male (59.3%), aged 55-64 (25.9%), White (85.2%), and food insecure (70.3%). Baseline measurements exceeded recommendations for BMI (31.7 (SD 8.6) kg/m2), waist-to-hip ratio (0.97 (SD 0.093) males; 0.92 (SD 0.98) females), body fat percentage (25.8% (SD 6.1) males; 40.5% (SD 9.4) females), and blood pressure (132/85 (SD 17.9/13.3) mmHg), while handgrip strength was lower than previous studies (68.4 (SD 21.4) kg). However, blood oxygenation (96.2% (SD 2.0)) and resting heart rate (86.8 bpm (SD 13.0)) were within normal ranges. Participants consumed insufficient fiber (12.1 (SD 8.9) grams), potassium (2138.3 (SD 1401.7) mg), and vitamin D (3.9 (SD 3.9) mcg), and had lower total Healthy Eating Index score when compared to the US population (40 out of 100). Their general health score was within a normal range (52.9 (SD 29.8). Participants averaged 10552 steps per day according to accelerometer data. Barriers to healthy eating, exercise, and sleep were respectively financial constraints and limited cooking/storage facilities; physical impediments; and mental/physical health concerns.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Findings suggested that homeless individuals face poorer health outcomes compared to standards/recommendations, emphasizing the necessity for further wellness interventions in this population.</p></div><div><h3>Funding</h3><p>Association for Utah Community Health</p></div>","PeriodicalId":50107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1499404624001210","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Research has indicated a correlation between homelessness and adverse health effects, yet comprehensive health assessments among individuals experiencing homelessness are limited.
Objective
To assess various health metrics, including diet, physical activity, body composition, and quality of life, among individuals experiencing homelessness.
Study Design, Settings, Participants
This study was an 8-week health and wellness pilot intervention among transitional housing residents at a homeless resource center (n=29). For the present analysis, only the baseline data were included.
Measurable Outcome/Analysis
Baseline measurements encompassed body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, body composition (body fat percentage, fat free mass, fat mass), handgrip strength, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, heart rate, diet quality (Healthy Eating Index 2015), and health-related quality of life. Qualitative survey data were coded independently by researchers to identify barriers, data were reconciled, and themes identified.
Results
Most participants were male (59.3%), aged 55-64 (25.9%), White (85.2%), and food insecure (70.3%). Baseline measurements exceeded recommendations for BMI (31.7 (SD 8.6) kg/m2), waist-to-hip ratio (0.97 (SD 0.093) males; 0.92 (SD 0.98) females), body fat percentage (25.8% (SD 6.1) males; 40.5% (SD 9.4) females), and blood pressure (132/85 (SD 17.9/13.3) mmHg), while handgrip strength was lower than previous studies (68.4 (SD 21.4) kg). However, blood oxygenation (96.2% (SD 2.0)) and resting heart rate (86.8 bpm (SD 13.0)) were within normal ranges. Participants consumed insufficient fiber (12.1 (SD 8.9) grams), potassium (2138.3 (SD 1401.7) mg), and vitamin D (3.9 (SD 3.9) mcg), and had lower total Healthy Eating Index score when compared to the US population (40 out of 100). Their general health score was within a normal range (52.9 (SD 29.8). Participants averaged 10552 steps per day according to accelerometer data. Barriers to healthy eating, exercise, and sleep were respectively financial constraints and limited cooking/storage facilities; physical impediments; and mental/physical health concerns.
Conclusions
Findings suggested that homeless individuals face poorer health outcomes compared to standards/recommendations, emphasizing the necessity for further wellness interventions in this population.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB), the official journal of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, is a refereed, scientific periodical that serves as a global resource for all professionals with an interest in nutrition education; nutrition and physical activity behavior theories and intervention outcomes; complementary and alternative medicine related to nutrition behaviors; food environment; food, nutrition, and physical activity communication strategies including technology; nutrition-related economics; food safety education; and scholarship of learning related to these areas.
The purpose of JNEB is to document and disseminate original research and emerging issues and practices relevant to these areas worldwide. The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior welcomes evidence-based manuscripts that provide new insights and useful findings related to nutrition education research, practice and policy. The content areas of JNEB reflect the diverse interests in nutrition and physical activity related to public health, nutritional sciences, education, behavioral economics, family and consumer sciences, and eHealth, including the interests of community-based nutrition-practitioners. As the Society''s official journal, JNEB also includes policy statements, issue perspectives, position papers, and member communications.