Washington: Providing plant-based foods could be a useful strategy to prevent childhood obesity in children from food-insecure families, a study led by researchers from the Mass General Brigham healthcare system has found.
The study, conducted in collaboration with the MGH Food Pantry, Massachusetts General for Children, and Boston Children’s Hospital, investigated the impact of a “food is medicine” approach on children’s body mass index (BMI) by providing plant-based food packages to families in need during the pandemic.
The team found an association between increasing receipt of food packages and decreased BMI. The findings reveal that providing plant-based foods could be a useful strategy to prevent childhood obesity in children from food-insecure families.
"It's important to encourage healthy eating habits during childhood to help prevent co-morbidities associated with obesity later in life, but many families to do not have access to expensive healthy foods, such as produce," said senior author Lauren Fiechtner, MD, MPH. "Food pantries like MGH Revere that can provide families with healthy foods are a huge help in making sure that kids have a long, healthy future and have the best cardiovascular and metabolic health possible from a young age."
For families dealing with food insecurity, the challenge is usually one of food quality as much as food quantity. "Children in families with food insecurity are frequently skipping meals or skipping food for a whole day because their family does not have enough money for food," said Fiechtner.
To help mitigate the impacts of pandemic-related food insecurity on childhood obesity, the MGH Revere Food Pantry provided weekly plant-based food packages to families seeking food assistance. The packages contained fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, and were adjusted to family size to provide enough for three meals per day for each member of the household. (ANI)
