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Leveraging School-Based Food Assistance to Enhance Child Outcomes

Leveraging School-Based Food Assistance to Enhance Child Outcomes

Introduction

In the realm of child development, addressing food insecurity is paramount. The DIATROFI Program, a school-based food assistance initiative in Greece, serves as a compelling case study for practitioners aiming to enhance child outcomes through targeted interventions. This blog explores the program's multi-year evaluation, emphasizing its impact on household food insecurity and the implications for speech-language pathologists and educators.

The DIATROFI Program: A Data-Driven Approach

The DIATROFI Program was implemented in response to Greece's socioeconomic crisis, targeting schools in low socioeconomic areas. Between 2012 and 2019, the program provided over 18 million nutritious meals to students across 880 schools. The primary objective was to alleviate food insecurity, a critical factor affecting children's cognitive and physical development.

Data from 18,716 students were analyzed using mixed linear and logistic regression models. The results were promising: households with food insecurity decreased from 51.5% to 47.6% after one year of program participation. Furthermore, the likelihood of remaining food insecure dropped significantly with each additional year of participation, showcasing the program's long-term benefits.

Implications for Practitioners

For speech-language pathologists and educators, these findings underscore the importance of integrating nutritional support into educational frameworks. Here are key takeaways:

Encouraging Further Research

The DIATROFI Program's success invites further exploration into the role of school-based interventions in child development. Practitioners are encouraged to investigate the following areas:

Conclusion

The DIATROFI Program exemplifies the power of data-driven, school-based interventions in improving child outcomes. By addressing food insecurity, we can pave the way for enhanced cognitive and language development, ultimately fostering better educational and life outcomes for children.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Impact of a school-based food assistance program on household food insecurity in Greece, 2012–2019: a multi-year evaluation of the DIATROFI program.


Citation: Diamantis, D. V., Linos, A., Hu, F. B., Veloudaki, A., Petralias, A., & Leung, C. W. (2024). Impact of a school-based food assistance program on household food insecurity in Greece, 2012–2019: A multi-year evaluation of the DIATROFI program. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 2666-7762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.101004
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

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