Results of the Abena Studies

To continue monitoring the nutritional status of vulnerable populations, the 2004–2005 Abena study was repeated during the winter of 2011–2012. The objectives of the 2011–2012 study were to update knowledge on the sociodemographic profiles, dietary habits, and nutritional status (body mass, blood pressure, and biological markers) of individuals receiving food assistance and to describe changes since 2004–2005.
In 2011–2012, the health status of food assistance recipients remained a cause for concern, with particularly high prevalence rates of nutrition-related conditions (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, certain vitamin deficiencies), and mixed trends since 2004–2005 (favorable for iron-deficiency anemia but unfavorable for obesity and HTN).
The study also highlights the significant gap between the consumption of certain food groups and nutritional recommendations, particularly for fruits and vegetables and dairy products, although slight improvements have been observed since 2004–2005. The study also highlights the difficult living conditions of food aid recipients, particularly in terms of isolation, housing difficulties, low educational attainment, employment challenges, as well as access to and forgoing of healthcare. Furthermore, a significant proportion of recipients relied on food assistance to obtain food, with food assistance even serving as the sole source of supply for certain foods.