Effects of a home-delivered meal-kit intervention on diet quality health symptoms in rural, food-insecure households.
Galin, Molly
Galin, Molly
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Abstract
In the United States, 17-18% of households with children are food-insecure. Individuals from food-insecure homes tend to rely on food pantries and inexpensive foods, which tend to be less nutritious. Studies have shown that food-insecure children have high rates of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and attention problems. They also tend to have diets that are high in ultra-processed foods, which may contribute to poor mental health outcomes. This study examined the impact of a home-delivered meal-kit intervention on diet quality and child mental health symptoms in rural, food-insecure households. Participants were 40 food-insecure caregivers with children aged 6-12 residing in rural Maine. The intervention lasted one month and involved receiving weekly, home-delivered meal kits containing ingredients and recipes for all household members. Caregivers completed survey questionnaires before and after the intervention, which assessed past-month diet quality (Rapid Prime Diet Quality Screener) and child mental health symptoms (Child Behavior Checklist and Brief Problem Monitor for ages 6-18). Overall, diet quality and child mental health improved following participation in the meal-kit intervention. Linear regression models showed that reductions in the consumption of sugary drinks (p=.0007) and processed meats (p=.0002) were significantly, positively associated with reductions in attention problems. No diet-related changes were significantly associated with child internalizing problems. These findings indicate that poor diet quality, and specifically, the consumption of sugary beverages and processed meat items may contribute to attention symptoms among food insecure youth. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms through which these food groups affect mental health outcomes to inform potential future diet-related interventions.
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Date
1/1/2026
Student Status
Senior (Graduating in 2026)
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Poster
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Psychology
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College of Arts and Sciences
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Clinical Science