Nutrition availability for those incarcerated in jail: Implications for mental health
International Journal of Prisoner Health
ISSN: 1744-9200
Article publication date: 4 August 2022
Issue publication date: 5 September 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Using a seven-day cycle menu and commissary items at a rural county jail, this study aims to describe provisions of micronutrients known to be associated with mental health disorders and if they meet dietary guidelines.
Design/methodology/approach
The nutritional content of a seven-day cycle menu and four available commissary food packs were evaluated using NutritionCalc® Plus software (McGraw-Hill Education version 5.0.19) and compared to Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI).
Findings
Menu mean values of Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C and zinc met DRI recommendations. However, Vitamin D (for men and women), magnesium (for men only) and omega-3s (for men only) did not meet the DRI recommendations.
Originality/value
As deficits of Vitamin D, magnesium and omega-3s are known to exacerbate bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression, small changes to food would increase the offerings and potential intake of nutrients that may improve mental health.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank jail staff and administration for providing data. The authors would also like to thank Julianne Brauer, Gabrielle Delio, Bonnie Kuss, Rachelle Phillips and Ary Spilkin for thoughtful contributions to the data entry and interpretation.
Funding: Research support was provided by the northern arizona university’s college of health and human services 2019-20 research/creativity seed grant program and sherc northern arizona southwest health equity research collaborative (NIH/NIHMD U54, Grant # NIHU54MD012388).
Citation
Mommaerts, K., Lopez, N.V., Camplain, C., Keene, C., Hale, A.M. and Camplain, R. (2023), "Nutrition availability for those incarcerated in jail: Implications for mental health", International Journal of Prisoner Health, Vol. 19 No. 3, pp. 350-362. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPH-02-2022-0009
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited