Feeding America Hosts Briefings on Hunger and Health This Thursday July 17th

WASHINGTON, July 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, is pleased to host Hill briefings on the intersection between hunger, health and nutrition on Thursday, July 17^th. Panelists will discuss compelling new research on how the framing of nutritional choices can influence eating behavior, the connections between food insecurity and diabetes, as well as promising interventions that communities can implement to help improve the health and well-being for those at risk of hunger.

Guest Panelists:

• Hilary Seligman, M.D., University of California San Francisco, Center for Vulnerable Populations

• David Just, Ph.D., Cornell University, Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs

• Marydale DeBor, J.D., Fresh Advantage LLC, Founder and Managing Director

Panel Highlights:

• As food insecurity increases at the end of the month, so do hospitalizations among low-income individuals. 
• How nutritional choices are presented influences eating behavior, but restricting choice can actually backfire.
• Screening for food insecurity helps connect patients with proper care
• Switching to healthy food service operations can reduce hospital readmission rates.

"The public health crisis associated with diet-related disease affects all segments of the population, but it disproportionately affects those who struggle with food insecurity. These briefings are an important and timely opportunity to engage advocates and policymakers in discussions around ideas that can positively impact the health of people struggling with hunger," said Elaine Waxman, vice president of research and nutrition for Feeding America. 

About Feeding America
Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 37 million people through 61,000 food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate.  Together we can solve hunger. Visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

Media Contact:
Lucio Guerrero
312.629.7219
[email protected]

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SOURCE Feeding America