Research outputs
2026
Exploring socioeconomic and demographic inequalities in adherence to government dietary guidance among adult National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) participants (2008-2018)
Parker, L., O'Flaherty, M., Loopstra, R., Capewell, S., & Colombet, Z. (2026). Exploring socioeconomic and demographic inequalities in adherence to government dietary guidance among adult National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) participants (2008-2018). JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH, 10 pages. doi:10.1136/jech-2025-224929
Policy options to increase the provision of free school meals in England: a qualitative exploration of the challenges of policy implementation through stakeholder interviews
Jones, C. P., Osifowora, B., Kesaite, V., Pokhilenko, I., Cummins, S., Loopstra, R., . . . Frew, E. (2026). Policy options to increase the provision of free school meals in England: a qualitative exploration of the challenges of policy implementation through stakeholder interviews. Public Health Nutrition, 29(1). doi:10.1017/S1368980026102432
P03-2 Free school meal access for children in food insecure households in England: secondary data analysis of the UK family resources survey
Arnold, R., Taylor-Robinson, D., Hargreaves, D., & Loopstra, R. (2026). P03-2 Free school meal access for children in food insecure households in England: secondary data analysis of the UK family resources survey. In UK Public Health Science Conference (pp. a11.1-a1a11). BMJ. doi:10.1136/ukphsc-2026-abstracts.24
P03-4 Evaluating the impact of food pantry membership on food insecurity amongst English households: a national-level quasi-experimental study
Ganbavale, S. G., van Rens, T., Oyebode, O., Bayes, N., & Loopstra, R. (2026). P03-4 Evaluating the impact of food pantry membership on food insecurity amongst English households: a national-level quasi-experimental study. In UK Public Health Science Conference (pp. a12.1-a1a12). BMJ. doi:10.1136/ukphsc-2026-abstracts.26
P03-5 Financial predictors of food insecurity among UK households: a quantitative analysis of representative, cross-sectional survey data
Pinhay, D., & Loopstra, R. (2026). P03-5 Financial predictors of food insecurity among UK households: a quantitative analysis of representative, cross-sectional survey data. In UK Public Health Science Conference (pp. a12.2-a1a12). BMJ. doi:10.1136/ukphsc-2026-abstracts.27
P03-6 Assessing food insecurity and dietary behaviours of Ukrainians during the ongoing war. Results from a cross-sectional survey
Zhuk, K., O’Flaherty, M., Loopstra, R., & Colombet, Z. (2026). P03-6 Assessing food insecurity and dietary behaviours of Ukrainians during the ongoing war. Results from a cross-sectional survey. In UK Public Health Science Conference (pp. a12.3-a1a13). BMJ. doi:10.1136/ukphsc-2026-abstracts.28
Co-designing evaluations with the community food sector: results and impacts from the SALIENT food systems trial programme
Loopstra, R., Bayes, N., Ganbavale, S. G., Parmar, N., & Perry, J. (2026). Co-designing evaluations with the community food sector: results and impacts from the SALIENT food systems trial programme. In Prevention Research Conference, Birmingham. Birmingham, UK.
Over one in four UK children face food insecurity: what can paediatricians do?
Arnold, R., Cattermole, R., Taylor-Robinson, D., Hargreaves, D., & Loopstra, R. (2026). Over one in four UK children face food insecurity: what can paediatricians do?. Paediatrics and Child Health United Kingdom, 36(2), 38-44. doi:10.1016/j.paed.2025.11.006
2025
Evaluation of local council funding for food aid organisations since cost-of-living crisis in the UK
Loopstra, R., & Sawyer, A. (2025). Evaluation of local council funding for food aid organisations since cost-of-living crisis in the UK. European Journal of Public Health, 35(Supplement_4), ckaf161.600. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckaf161.600
Reflections from implementing a community-based food aid randomised controlled trial
Bayes, N., Ganbavale, S., & Loopstra, R. (2025). Reflections from implementing a community-based food aid randomised controlled trial. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 35, 1 page. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckaf161.1392
Hungry for Change: Tackling Obesity and Food Insecurity in the North of England. Chapter 1: Food Insecurity in Families with Children
Loopstra, R., Arnold, R., Tajik, B., & Roberts, K. (2025). Hungry for Change: Tackling Obesity and Food Insecurity in the North of England. Chapter 1: Food Insecurity in Families with Children. Retrieved from https://www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/app/uploads/COTN-APPG-2025-EMBARGOED.pdf
Did increasing the UK’s Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits by £20 per week in 2020-21 reduce food insecurity?
Loopstra, R., Baumberg Geiger, B., & Reeves, A. (2025). Did increasing the UK’s Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits by £20 per week in 2020-21 reduce food insecurity?. Journal of Social Policy.
2024
What is driving food insecurity risks in UK households with children?
Arnold, R., Taylor-Robinson, D., Hargreaves, D., & Loopstra, R. (2024). What is driving food insecurity risks in UK households with children?. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 34, 1 page. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckae144.712
What is driving food insecurity risks in UK households with children?
Arnold, R., Taylor-Robinson, D., Hargreaves, D., & Loopstra, R. (2024). What is driving food insecurity risks in UK households with children?. In European Public Health Conference. Lisbon, Portugal. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckae144.712
A study exploring food support from a North-West London food bank
Loopstra, R., & Bayes, N. (n.d.). A study exploring food support from a North-West London food bank. doi:10.1186/isrctn44408179
Food insecurity, disability and age in the UK.
Hadfield-Spoor, M., Avendano, M., & Loopstra, R. (2024). Food insecurity and disability among working-age and older adults. Public Health Nutrition, 27(1). doi:10.1017/S1368980024000570
Growth in UK children living in households with food insecurity These children are at risk of poor physical, emotional, mental, and social outcomes
Loopstra, R. (2024). Growth in UK children living in households with food insecurity These children are at risk of poor physical, emotional, mental, and social outcomes. BMJ, 385. doi:10.1136/bmj.q997
2023
How effective were government food box schemes for those who were shielding during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom? Local and national stakeholder perspectives
Lambie-Mumford, H., Loopstra, R., & Gordon, K. (2023). How effective were government food box schemes for those who were shielding during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom? Local and national stakeholder perspectives. PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION, 26(12), 3247-3255. doi:10.1017/S1368980023001829
Food banks: Understanding their role in the food insecure population in the UK
Loopstra, R., & Lambie-Mumford, H. (2023). Food banks: Understanding their role in the food insecure population in the UK. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NUTRITION SOCIETY, 82(3), 253-263. doi:10.1017/S0029665123002720
OP151 Food insecurity and mental health during the first UK COVID-19 lockdown
Kousta, M., Loopstra, R., Avendano, M., & Glaser, K. (2023). OP151 Food insecurity and mental health during the first UK COVID-19 lockdown. In SSM Annual Scientific Meeting (pp. a134.3-a1a135). BMJ. doi:10.1136/jech-2023-ssmabstracts.281
Child Poverty and the Cost of Living Crisis. A report prepared for the APPG Child of the North. https://www.thenhsa.co.uk/app/uploads/2023/01/COTN-APPG.pdf
Taylor-Robinson, D., & Loopstra, R. (2023). Child Poverty and the Cost of Living Crisis. A report prepared for the APPG Child of the North. https://www.thenhsa.co.uk/app/uploads/2023/01/COTN-APPG.pdf.
2022
Food insecurity among disabled adults
Hadfield-Spoor, M., Avendano, M., & Loopstra, R. (2022). Food insecurity among disabled adults. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 32(4), 593-599. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckac034
2021
The continuing effects of welfare reform on food bank use in the UK: The roll-out of universal credit
Reeves, A., & Loopstra, R. (2021). The continuing effects of welfare reform on food bank use in the UK: The roll-out of universal credit. Journal of Social Policy, 50(4), 788-808. doi:10.1017/S0047279420000513
Working-age adults using food banks in England have significantly poorer health and higher rates of mental health conditions than adults in the general population: A cross-sectional quantitative study
Loh, S., Knight, A., & Loopstra, R. (2021). Working-age adults using food banks in England have significantly poorer health and higher rates of mental health conditions than adults in the general population: A cross-sectional quantitative study. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, 29(5), 1594-1605. doi:10.1111/hsc.13226
Family policy and food insecurity: an observational analysis in 142 countries
Reeves, A., Loopstra, R., & Tarasuk, V. (2021). Family policy and food insecurity: an observational analysis in 142 countries. LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH, 5(8), E506-E513. Retrieved from https://www.webofscience.com/
Wage-Setting Policies, Employment, and Food Insecurity: A Multilevel Analysis of 492 078 People in 139 Countries
Reeves, A., Loopstra, R., & Tarasuk, V. (2021). Wage-Setting Policies, Employment, and Food Insecurity: A Multilevel Analysis of 492 078 People in 139 Countries. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 111(4), 718-725. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2020.306096
2020
The Relationship Between Food Banks and Food Insecurity: Insights from Canada
Tarasuk, V., Fafard St-Germain, A. -A., & Loopstra, R. (2020). The Relationship Between Food Banks and Food Insecurity: Insights from Canada. VOLUNTAS, 31(5), 841-852. doi:10.1007/s11266-019-00092-w
Liberal trade policy and food insecurity across the income distribution: an observational analysis in 132 countries, 2014–17
Barlow, P., Loopstra, R., Tarasuk, V., & Reeves, A. (2020). Liberal trade policy and food insecurity across the income distribution: an observational analysis in 132 countries, 2014–17. Lancet Global Health, 8(8), e1090-e1097. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30263-1
The Housing Situations of Food Bank Users in Great Britain
Clair, A., Fledderjohann, J., Lalor, D., & Loopstra, R. (2020). The Housing Situations of Food Bank Users in Great Britain. SOCIAL POLICY AND SOCIETY, 19(1), 55-73. doi:10.1017/S1474746419000150
2019
The rise of hunger among low-income households: an analysis of the risks of food insecurity between 2004 and 2016 in a population-based study of UK adults
Loopstra, R., Reeves, A., & Tarasuk, V. (2019). The rise of hunger among low-income households: an analysis of the risks of food insecurity between 2004 and 2016 in a population-based study of UK adults. JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH, 73(7), 668-673. doi:10.1136/jech-2018-211194
Food bank operational characteristics and rates of food bank use across Britain
Loopstra, R., Lambie-Mumford, H., & Fledderjohann, J. (2019). Food bank operational characteristics and rates of food bank use across Britain. BMC PUBLIC HEALTH, 19, 10 pages. doi:10.1186/s12889-019-6951-6
2018
Interventions to address household food insecurity in high-income countries
Loopstra, R. (2018). Interventions to address household food insecurity in high-income countries. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NUTRITION SOCIETY, 77(3), 270-281. doi:10.1017/S002966511800006X
Impact of Welfare Benefit Sanctioning on Food Insecurity: a Dynamic Cross-Area Study of Food Bank Usage in the UK
Loopstra, R., Fledderjohann, J., Reeves, A., & Stuckler, D. (2018). Impact of Welfare Benefit Sanctioning on Food Insecurity: a Dynamic Cross-Area Study of Food Bank Usage in the UK. JOURNAL OF SOCIAL POLICY, 47(3), 437-457. doi:10.1017/S0047279417000915
Rising food bank use in the UK: Sign of a new public health emergency?
Loopstra, R. (2018). Rising food bank use in the UK: Sign of a new public health emergency?. NUTRITION BULLETIN, 43(1), 53-60. doi:10.1111/nbu.12306
2017
The growing disconnect between food prices and wages in Europe: cross-national analysis of food deprivation and welfare regimes in twenty-one EU countries, 2004-2012
Reeves, A., Loopstra, R., & Stuckler, D. (2017). The growing disconnect between food prices and wages in Europe: cross-national analysis of food deprivation and welfare regimes in twenty-one EU countries, 2004-2012. PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION, 20(8), 1414-1422. doi:10.1017/S1368980017000167
'Set up to Fail'? How Welfare Conditionality Undermines Citizenship for Vulnerable Groups
Reeves, A., & Loopstra, R. (2017). 'Set up to Fail'? How Welfare Conditionality Undermines Citizenship for Vulnerable Groups. SOCIAL POLICY AND SOCIETY, 16(2), 327-338. doi:10.1017/S1474746416000646
Is trade liberalisation a vector for the spread of sugar-sweetened beverages? A cross-national longitudinal analysis of 44 low- and middle-income countries
Lopez, A. M., Loopstra, R., McKee, M., & Stuckler, D. (2017). Is trade liberalisation a vector for the spread of sugar-sweetened beverages? A cross-national longitudinal analysis of 44 low- and middle-income countries. SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE, 172, 21-27. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.11.001
2016
Food insecurity and social protection in Europe: Quasi-natural experiment of Europe's great recessions 2004-2012
Loopstra, R., Reeves, A., McKee, M., & Stuckler, D. (2016). Food insecurity and social protection in Europe: Quasi-natural experiment of Europe's great recessions 2004-2012. PREVENTIVE MEDICINE, 89, 44-50. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.05.010
2015
An Exporation of the Unprecedented Decline in the Prevalence of Household Food Insecurity in Newfoundland and Labrador, 2007-2012
Loopstra, R., Dachner, N., & Tarasuk, V. (2015). An Exporation of the Unprecedented Decline in the Prevalence of Household Food Insecurity in Newfoundland and Labrador, 2007-2012. CANADIAN PUBLIC POLICY-ANALYSE DE POLITIQUES, 41(3), 191-206. doi:10.3138/cpp.2014-080
Rising food insecurity in Europe
Loopstra, R., Reeves, A., & Stuckler, D. (2015). Rising food insecurity in Europe. LANCET, 385(9982), 2041. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60983-7
Austerity, sanctions, and the rise of food banks in the UK.
Loopstra, R., Reeves, A., Taylor-Robinson, D., Barr, B., McKee, M., & Stuckler, D. (2015). Austerity, sanctions, and the rise of food banks in the UK.. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 350. doi:10.1136/bmj.h1775
Food bank usage is a poor indicator of food insecurity: Insights from Canada
Loopstra, R., & Tarasuk, V. (2015). Food bank usage is a poor indicator of food insecurity: Insights from Canada. Social Policy and Society, 14(3), 443-455. doi:10.1017/S1474746415000184