Hi Alejandra--
Can't help with your request about tools, etc., but thought I'd write to ask
that you consider breastfeeding when you talk with people about food
security/insecurity. I'm always surprised at how seldom this link is made.
In this country (Canada) it is often the low income/marginalized women who
choose not to breastfeed or don't get the support they need to follow
through on their desire to breastfeed. 

While not breastfeeding can actually become a life or death situation,
particularly in communities with poor water supply, crowded housing, etc.
the lack of breastfeeding also leads to so many increased risks throughout
the child's life (for all children). Kids from food insecure homes often
have so many strikes against them before they're born.  Breastfeeding can
often ameliorate risks so it's so important the children (and mothers) be
given this opportunity wherever possible. There are important benefits for
the physical and emotional health of mothers, too, and a family can save a
lot of money and worry by breastfeeding. The extra money (around $1500 for
the first year) can be used for food for the rest of the family.

Here a few resources--sorry, they're all Canadian but may give you some
useful information. A Google search will yield lots more:

INFACT Canada website: Breastfeeding and food security
http://www.infactcanada.ca/bfandfs.htm

Ontario Public Health Association Food Security Workgroup (see side panel
link to Breastfeeding Promotion)
http://www.opha.on.ca/workgroups/foodsecurity.html

An older document, but Canada's Plan for Food Security includes reference to
breastfeeding:
http://www.agr.gc.ca/misb/fsb/fsb-bsa_e.php?section=fsap&group=plan&page=ii

Mmm, not too difficult to tell this is a topic I'm passionate about, is it??
: )   All the best on your project.

Leslie Ayre-Jaschke, BEd, MSc (Health Promotion), IBCLC, SEARCH III
SEARCH Canada Newsletter Editor
Phone (780) 624-1656
[log in to unmask]
SEARCH Light archives: www.searchca.net 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Social Determinants of Health [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Alejandra Martinez
Sent: October 11, 2005 10:08 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [SDOH] Food insecurity

We are currently in the process of doing a project using participatory
action research focusing on food insecurity. We are targetting those
receiving food vouchers, food assisstance from various agencies.
This is in the Blue Mountains, in NSW Australia.
Has anyone done anything similar to this? We are especially interested in
tools for dialogue to engage people.
Thanks
Alejandra Martinez

Alejandra Martinez
Health Improvement Consultant
Health Improvement, Population Health
(Mon, Tues, Wed)

Sydney West Area Health Service
P.O Box 63
PENRITH NSW 2751
Tel: 4734 2785
email: [log in to unmask] 

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