The Food Environment of Street Youth

Satisfying dietary needs is one of the problems that street youth face each day. The goal of this study was to describe the food situation of a group of street youth living in precarious circumstances in Quebec City, Canada. Issues such as the context and nature of food perceptions of nutrition and food security were covered. Using an action-research approach, the study combined a visit to each youth's living space with a structured interview. The 25 youth who participated in this study do not live in an environment that is conducive to healthy eating or to the independent preparation of regular, full and varied meals. The lack of food and the compromised diet of street youth stand in stark contrast to their nutritional needs. This gap raises serious concerns about their physical and mental development as well as their social integration.