PD500 - EXPERIENCES OF FOOD AND MEALS AMONG PEOPLE LIVING IN HOMELESSNESS

PD500

EXPERIENCES OF FOOD AND MEALS AMONG PEOPLE LIVING IN HOMELESSNESS

V. Wallin^1,*, E. Hjorth¹, S. Doveson², A. Klarare^3,4

¹The Department of Health Care Science, Marie Cederschiöld University, ²Department of Nursing Science, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden, ³Discovery and Implementation for the Common Good, Boston College, The Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, United States, ⁴Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Complex Intervention Research in Health and Care, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

Rationale: People experiencing homelessness often face difficulties in accessing food. Research on their perspectives and experiences remains limited; therefore, the aim was to explore experiences of food and meals among people living in homelessness.

Methods: Individual qualitative interviews were conducted with persons (n=15; ages 30–73; 73% men) experiencing homelessness. Participants were recruited from an inpatient ward that specializes in caring for people experiencing homelessness. Participants had chronic conditions (e.g., COPD, HIV, cancer) and additional care needs (e.g. infected wounds). Data were analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis.

Results: The results highlight diverse food-related coping strategies among people experiencing homelessness and illustrate the physiological and psychological burden of persistent hunger. Participants described limited ability to meet basic nutritional needs, even when accessing charitable food distribution centres, where bread and sweets predominated. Despite scarce resources, they sought to maintain adequate intake of protein, micronutrients, and fluids by nutritional drinks, and by awareness of water intake when alternatives were lacking. Participants reported bodily decline and the challenges associated with hunger. The results show that under acute food insecurity, ethical and behavioural boundaries shifted, with substances sometimes prioritized, and perceptions of food, begging, theft, and moral limits evolving in the struggle for survival.

Conclusion: The study highlights the intricate interplay between food insecurity, and substance use, and social marginalization, underscoring the imperative for respectful, inclusive support systems. The study provides insights in how limited and uncertain access to food impacts people experiencing homelessness and their health. Access to nutritious food for those is required to avoid suffering and ill health.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared