Hungry for Change: Social Exclusion, Food Poverty and Homelessness in Dublin

This study investigates the impact of poverty and social exclusion on the food, diet and nutrition of people out-of-home in Dublin. The research involved a food frequency survey carried out with 75 people out of home, qualitative interviews with 12 individuals as well as a self-completion questionnaire administered to 18 food service providers in Dublin city. One of the main findings from the study was that the extent and experience of food poverty among homeless people was not only conditioned by income inadequacy and other socio-economic and cultural determinants, but particularly, by access to accommodation, as well as the quality of that accommodation. The report makes a number of practice and policy recommendations to tackle food poverty and homelessness. The qualitative approaches to food poverty employed for use with this sample of people out-of-home aimed to deal in depth with issues around food consumption. Through drawing a sub-sample from those who participated in the survey research (a process of recapture), the authors sought to expand on the survey questionnaire information on food issues. The themes for the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) emerged from the analysis of the survey questionnaires and 4 key thematic areas were selected. i) Access to cooking, preparation and storage facilities ii) Access, choice and constraints in food purchase and consumption iii) Access to information about healthy diet, food preparation and storage iv) Expectations, cultures, values and choice concerning eating The qualitative aspect of the research enquiry eventually generated one FGD and seven semi-structured interviews representing the views of a total of 12 persons all of whom had completed the initial survey questionnaire.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Routes of administration of cannabis used for nonmedical purposes and associations with patterns of drug use.

PURPOSE: Little is known regarding cannabis administration routes for nonmedical use-that is, its delivery methods (e.g., joints, water pipe, food). Therefore, we examined the prevalence rates of different cannabis delivery methods and assessed the relationship of the distinct administration routes with problematic drug use. Subgroups of cannabis users were also investigated (i.e., "pure" cannabis users, previously described as employing a harmless route of administration, and water pipe users, previously described as using a harmful route of administration). METHODS: As part of the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors, 1,763 cannabis users answered questions concerning their drug use (i.e., routes of administration, problematic cannabis use, other illicit drug use). Descriptive statistics, latent class analysis, correlations and t-tests were assessed. RESULTS: The main administration route was "joints with tobacco"; other routes of administration had prevalence rates from 23.99% to 38.23%. In addition, increasing the number of administration routes was associated with more problematic cannabis use, as well as heavier illicit drug use. Water pipes without tobacco were especially linked to heavy drug use patterns, whereas "pure" cannabis use seemed less harmful. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlighted that diversification in routes of administration can be associated with heavier illicit drug use. This was especially true for water pipe users, whereas "pure" cannabis users, who did not mix cannabis with tobacco, were an exception. Indeed, these results may be useful for future preventive programs, which may need to focus on those who have diversified routes of administration for cannabis.

Eating disorders, overeating and pathological attatchment to food: Independent or addictive disorders?

The thesis of this book is that there are connections between eating disorders and substance abuse. There are similarities in the craving for food to the cravings for substances of addiction; people with eating disorders experience symptoms similar to those of classic addiction. With the increase in obesity in the West, this book hopes to focus future studies on more effective treatment.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Introduction to Basic Health Care Statistics

A video summary by Catherine Comiskey

Food Focus

he Food Focus Community Food Initiative promotes healthy eating through a variety of co-ordinated, strategic activities that offer people a way to engage in a positive approach to food. It is creating one community, one message about healthy eating and ensure the ability to achieve a healthy diet through building a variety of sustainable, engaging food activities. Food Focus is a set of community based structures dedicated to addressing the risk and instances of food poverty in the Knocknaheeny area and intends to act as a model for similar work across other RAPID/Health Area Zone areas on the North side of Cork. It offers participants the chance to grow their own food, sign up to the food charter, learn about budgeting and planning or volunteer. The Community Food Charter was developed by local people and other stakeholders supported by the Community Dietician and will reflect the kind of food experiences they want for themselves, their families, within projects and public outlets. They are currently developing a large community garden in Knocknaheeny. Contact Person Katherine Harford Phone +353 (0)21 4300135 Address HSE BuildingHarbourview RoadKnocknaheenyCork Email Katherine@nicheonline.ie Website http://www.nicheonline.ie/index.php?pageID=152

Food and Health Project Longford/Westmeath

The Food and Health Project offers practical healthy eating and lifestyle courses to groups cooking on a lower income. Courses offered include: C/O Athlone Community Taskforce Ball Alley Lane Athlone Westmeath HSE and community group Initiative Type Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Longford Westmeath Funding HSE and community group Partner Agencies HSE

Portadown Blossom Surestart Community Food Initiative

A group devised by our families for our families. Southern Trust Initiative Type Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Armagh Target Groups Families Funding Southern Trust Partner Agencies Early Years

Food and Health Project

Provision of community based Healthy Food Made Easy, Cool Dude and related courses. Based at Birchgrove Community Centre, Birchgrove, Portlaoise. HSE Initiative Type Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Laois Offaly Funding HSE Partner Agencies HSE Health Promotion

Fatima Food Project

Fatima Groups United Project aims to address food poverty, ill-health related to bad nutrition, lack of education and awareness around nutrition among local residents and to explore how the CFI can become sustainable. Their objectives are: Part of theCFI Programme 2013-2015 Initiative Type Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Dublin 8 Partner Agencies safefood

Blanchardstown Good Food Cooperative

Blanchardstown Good Food Cooperative aims to establish a Good Food Network in Dublin 15 to raise awareness of and seek to reduce food poverty. Part of theCFI Programme 2013-2015 Initiative Type Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Dublin 15 Partner Agencies safefood Website http://www.bap.ie/food-thought

Food Garden Project

The Food Garden Project is unique in bringing these two community groups together to work towards enhancing the participants' understanding of nutrition, healthy eating and self-sufficiency through growing fruit and vegetables and developing cookery skills. The Food Garden Projectâ?Ts aim is to support participants to grow, prepare and cook a range of fruit and vegetables throughout the year. There is also an emphasis on transferring these skills to their home life. The aim of the Food Garden Project is to support very marginalised and vulnerable individuals to grow, prepare and cook a range of healthy organic fruit and vegetables throughout the year. There is an emphasis on transferring these skills to their home life. A support worker and a cookery instructor assist the participants in learning how to grow produce and prepare healthy meals using the food products harvested from their community garden.   Part of theDemonstration Programme 2010-2012 Initiative Type Community Food Growing Projects Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Louth Target Groups Homeless people People with physical sensory and intellectual disability

Food for Life

The Bogside & Brandywell Health Forum (Healthy Living Centre) delivers a range of healthy eating programmes including demonstration and practical cooking activities as well as education based activities and information. Food for life brings together a range of community and statutory workers who are tasked with the improvement of health within the local community. They provide a range of programmes and activities that provide knowledge and practical skills in the preparation of a healthy diet. The target audience will be children, teenagers, families & older people from the target Neighbourhood Renewal area of Triax in Derry city. To keep building on existing work and development of best practiceTo strengthen links with groups tasked with improving the health of the community within the target areaTo help reduce instances of obesity in childrenTo help reduce nutrition-linked illnesses such as diabetesTo delivery various programmes throughout the community; offering training and advice on healthy eating and living Part of theDemonstration Programme 2010-2012 Initiative Type Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Derry/Londonderry

Centre Food Services

The catering section, at present, offers the following: The Resource Centre accommodates classes in Healthy Eating. In the near future we hope to offer Cookery Classes in Healthy Eating, and low income meals: teaching adults and children the importance of a healthy-balanced diet which is within a low income budget; showing them how to cook these meals; supervising groups while they cook a selection of dishes which incorporate the low cost, balanced diet Initiative Type Community Food Centres Meals on Wheels Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Dublin 10