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Prior research has focused on various social determinants of health as risk factors to food insecurity. Less work has focused on modifiable behaviors. This study examined the relationship between grocery shopping and meal preparation self-efficacy and food insecurity among food pantry clients. Surveys were used to collect the data from 10 food pantries in Atlanta, Georgia and 10 food pantries in Houston, Texas in 2022. Food insecurity status was ascertained by 3 affirmative responses on the 18-item USDA Food Security Scale Module. A total score of affirmative responses to 6-items each on a 1= not all confident to 4 = very confident scale was used to measure grocery shopping and meal preparation self-efficacy. Covariate-adjusted logistic regression models were conducted to examine the relationship between grocery shopping and meal preparation self-efficacy and food insecurity among the full sample. Standard errors in all regression models were corrected to account for multiple observations within a pantry. On average, participants (N=1,219) were 56 years old and had a grocery shopping and meal preparation self-efficacy total score of 20.73 (SD=3.35) out of 24.00. Over half of the sample experienced food insecurity (57%). For each unit increase in grocery shopping and meal preparation self-efficacy, food pantry clients experienced 7% lower odds of experiencing food insecurity (95% CI: 0.89-0.97). The findings hold when the models were stratified by sex. The results suggest interventions to improve grocery shopping and meal preparation self-efficacy may help reduce food insecurity.

Increasing autonomy and potential engagement in risky health behaviors during adolescence creates a critical time for oral health and nutrition health promotion. A Social Cognitive Theory-based oral health promotion program was developed and piloted in an under-resourced urban high school. The program was designed to improve health literacy regarding oral health, nutrition, and risky health behaviors that influence oral health through didactic lessons and interactive in-class group activities. In this pilot study, twenty-four students participated and completed both pre-/post-program surveys (mean age=15.6 years [SD=0.97], 63% female; 75% Black; 46% food insecure). Over one-third (38%) of students had not visited a dentist in the past year (67% male; 56% Black, 44% food insecure). While health literacy slightly increased from pre- to post-program, the increase was not significant. The limited positive findings may be related to small sample size in this pilot, as well as implementation challenges that occurred: lack of partnership buy-in, turnover and vacancies, scheduling conflicts, low attendance, and available but inaccessible dental care. Lessons learned from the challenges can inform future program planning and implementation.