Food Intake Patterns of Homeless Youth in Toronto

Objective: To explain the low nutrient intakes of homeless youth in Toronto by looking at their usual food intake patterns and the food they obtained from charitable programs and their own purchases. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 261 homeless youth (149 male, 112 female), recruited from outdoor locations and drop-in centres in downtown Toronto. Drawing on data from two 24-hour dietary intake recalls, youths' usual food intakes were estimated and compared to Canada's Food Guide recommendations. The nutritional quality of youths' food intakes from charitable meal programs and food purchases was compared. Results: The mean usual food intakes for homeless males and females were well below current recommendations for all four food groups and below the usual intakes of adults, 19-30 years, in the general population. On a given day, youths' mean energy intakes were 1962 +/- 1394 kcal for females and 2163 +/- 1542 kcal for males, with more energy coming from "other foods" than any other food group. Regardless of whether they obtained food from charitable meal programs or purchased it for themselves, youths' mean intakes from the four food groups were very low and most youth consumed no whole grains or dark green or orange vegetables (i.e., foods recommended in Canada's Food Guide). Conclusion: The low nutritional quality of youths' food intakes is consistent with the high prevalence of nutrient inadequacies previously documented in this sample. The existing food acquisition strategies of homeless youth appear to be insufficient for them to meet their nutritional needs.