Mitigating Food Insecurity-Related Stigma: A Review of Intervention Strategies.

Abstract

<h4>Objective</h4>To characterize intervention strategies addressing food insecurity-related stigma implemented in federal nutrition programs (e.g. SNAP, WIC) and emergency food programs (e.g. food pantries, food cupboards) within high income countries.<h4>Methods</h4>Six databases (PubMed, PsychINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL, Sociological Abstracts, Dissertations and Theses Global) and the Internet were searched through September 2024. Data on study characteristics and stigma intervention characteristics were extracted with a structured template. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used.<h4>Results</h4>The review found 46 intervention strategies across 18 articles. The majority of articles were based in the United States (89.9%) with the remaining portion from the United Kingdom (11.1%). Interventions most frequently targeted emergency food (44.4% of articles, 70.3% of interventions). Interventions were most often operating at the structural level (89.1%).<h4>Conclusion</h4>This review demonstrates the frequency of structural level interventions, particularly within the emergency food setting, and the need to implement strategies that address the everyday interactions between staff/volunteers and those seeking food assistance.