DIET & NUTRITION 
PATIENT EDUCATION 
OBESITY/WEIGHT MANAGEMENT 
EXERCISE/TRAINING 
LEGAL MATTERS 
GUIDELINES/RECOMMENDATIONS 
Nurses drive measurable improvements in food insecurity across 53 studies—reducing HbA1c levels, blood pressure, and preterm births through screening, referrals, and community interventions. This first comprehensive review documents nursing contributions as researchers, clinicians, and authors advancing UN Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger by 2030.
🩺 NURSING IMPLICATIONS
- Most nurses don’t routinely screen for food insecurity despite ethical obligation; closing this practice gap connects patients to life-saving SNAP and WIC resources.
- Nurse-led food interventions produce clinical results: blood pressure decreased, BMI dropped 63% of participants, glycemic control improved among diabetes patients receiving vouchers.
- Pregnant patients not using WIC face 2-fold higher risk of poor glycemic control; nurse-delivered prenatal food supplementation cut preterm births by 37%.
- Food-insecure patients experience higher rates of interpersonal violence and mental health crises—screening requires trauma-informed approach and holistic assessment.
- Documentation gap obscures nursing impact: research likely understates nurses’ food security work in screening, education, pantry organization, and meal delivery.
⚕️ NURSING ACTIONS
- Implement Hunger Vital Sign screening in admission assessments and wellness visits
- Document your food security interventions to build evidence base for nursing practice
- Establish referral protocols connecting patients to SNAP, WIC, food banks, meal delivery
- Advocate at policy level for expanded food assistance and community resource funding
More in Social Determinants of Health
