A systematic review of the evaluation of interventions to tackle children’s food insecurity.

Year Published:

Abstract

Purpose of Review To synthesise the research which has sought to evaluate interventions aiming to tackle children’s food insecurity and the contribution of this research to evidencing the effectiveness of such interventions. Recent Findings The majority of studies in this review were quantitative, non-randomised studies, including cohort studies. Issues with non-complete outcome data, measurement of duration of participation in interventions, and accounting for confounds are common in these evaluation studies. Despite the limitations of the current evidence base, the papers that were reviewed provide evidence for multiple positive outcomes for children participating in attended and subsidy interventions, inter alia, reductions in food insecurity, poor health and obesity. However, current evaluations may overlook key areas of impact of these interventions on the lives and outcomes of participating children. Summary This review suggests that the current evidence base which evaluates food insecurity interventions for children is both mixed and limited in scope and quality. In particular, the outcomes measured are narrow, and many papers have methodological limitations. With this in mind, a systems-based approach to both implementation and evaluation of food poverty interventions is recommended.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What works to increase food security in newcomer populations?

This evidence summary summarizes the state of available evidence regarding the impacts of various intervention types on the level of food insecurity faced by newcomers.

About this study

AGE: Children

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

HOST COUNTRY: Multiple countries

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION: Various

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2019

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