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Protocols (Poster Session)

(P11-039-25) A Pilot Study Protocol Examining Barriers to Nutrition for Adults Experiencing Food Insecurity

Saturday, May 31, 2025
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM ET
Location: Poster Board B-81

    Presenting Author(s)

  • CO

    Catheryn Orihuela, PhD

    Assistant Professor
    The University of Alabama at Birmingham
    Birmingham, Alabama, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • BD

    Brianna Dodson

    The University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States

  • LK

    Lily Kraff

    The University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States

  • EM

    Eryn McCullough

    The University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States

Disclosure(s):
Catheryn Orihuela, PhD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: Adults experiencing food insecurity face multiple challenges obtaining nutritious foods. The primary objective of this multi method study is to explore both individual- and system-level barriers to nutrition for adults with food insecurity.

Methods: The current study uses data collected from the ongoing Blazer Kitchen Shopper Study, which began in Spring 2024. The Blazer Kitchen is a university campus food pantry that offers healthy shelf stable and fresh foods at no cost for students, staff, and patients. The current study focuses on patients, who are referred to the food pantry when screening positive for food insecurity by clinic social workers in hospital outpatient clinics. After consent, participants come for one 1-hour visit to the research site to complete a self-reported questionnaire which assesses food insecurity, physical and mental wellbeing, and diet quality as well as neighborhood characteristics. Additionally, participants complete a structured interview that includes open ended questions that probe an individual’s experiences with food insecurity and challenges that they face in obtaining food. Participants are compensated with a gift card for their time. Initially, the recruitment protocol took place within the food pantry, however, efforts have now focused exclusively within a cardiovascular disease clinic that serves adults who are uninsured and underinsured. Other adjustments have been made to the interview protocol to be flexible to the unique needs and abilities of this vulnerable population.

Results: N/A

Conclusions: Results from the current study will elucidate outcomes of food insecurity as well as individual challenges to obtaining nutritious foods. This can aid public food programs to be proactive when connecting individuals with resources that reduce food insecurity and improve nutrition.

Funding Sources: This work was supported by the Centers for Disease Control Prevention Research Center division under GrantU48DP006404-03-00.