DNP Scholarly Projects
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Evidence suggests poor-quality diets and high levels of stress have negative impacts on health, especially in low-income families in the southern United States. Nutrition-based food assistance programs were developed to meet nutritional needs of food insecure clients. The purpose of this scholarly project was to explore the relationship between perceived stress and diet quality among low-income families engaged with a nutrition-based food assistance program.
Methods: A retrospective and observational design was used to analyze previously collected survey responses from clients participating in a nutrition-based food assistance program in Nashville, TN (N = 425). Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s correlation were used to explore relationships between the variables of fruit intake, vegetable intake, Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4) score, and total number of visits to the nutrition-based food assistance program from change between pre- and post-survey responses (n = 120).
Results: The mean change in fruit intake was 0.16 (n = 119) and the mean change in vegetable intake was 0.08 (n = 119). A negative correlation was found between change in fruit intake and change in PSS-4 score (rs = -.182; p = .053), as well as change in vegetable intake and change in PSS-4 score (rs = -.026; p = .786).
Conclusion: As found in other studies, diet quality for low-income families improved with consistent access to free healthy foods. PSS-4 scores also declined with increased engagement with a nutrition-based food assistance program. Further research should explore perceived stress and diet quality during a non-pandemic year.
Date
Spring 6-13-2022
First Advisor
Kathryn Dambrino, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Scholarly Project Team Member
David Phillippi, PhD
Scholarly Project Team Member
Laura Gray, PhD, RN
Department
Nursing, School of
College
Health Sciences & Nursing, Gordon E. Inman College of
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Degree Level
Doctoral
Degree Grantor
Belmont University
Keywords
Nutrition; Food Insecurity; Diet Quality; Perceived Stress; Low Income; Nursing; Food Assistance Program; Food Bank; Stress; Public Health
Recommended Citation
Wolfe, Kelsey R.; Dambrino, Kathryn L.; Phillippi, David; and Gray, Laura, "Examining Perceived Stress and Diet Quality Among Low-Income Families Engaged with a Nutrition-Based Food Assistance Program" (2022). DNP Scholarly Projects. 75.
https://repository.belmont.edu/dnpscholarlyprojects/75
