Food insecurity is associated with adverse health outcomes among human infants and toddlers.

Summary

The U.S. Household Food Security Scale, developed with federal support for use in national surveys, is an effective research tool. This study uses these new measures to examine associations between food insecurity and health outcomes in young children. The purpose of this study was to determine whether household food insecurity is associated with adverse health outcomes in a sentinel population ages < or = 36 mo. We conducted a multisite retrospective cohort study with cross-sectional surveys at urban medical centers in 5 states and Washington DC, August 1998-December 2001. Caregivers of 11,539 children ages < or = 36 mo were interviewed at hospital clinics and emergency departments (ED) in central cities. Outcome measures included child's health status, hospitalization history, whether ch

Regional applicability

Whilst this study was conducted in the United States, food insecurity and its link to child health outcomes is relevant to United Kingdom contexts, particularly given ongoing concerns about childhood malnutrition and household food poverty in the UK. However, direct application would require UK-specific data on food insecurity prevalence and health outcomes, as well as consideration of differing social welfare systems and healthcare access.

Key measures

U.S. Household Food Security Scale; child's health status (fair or poor); hospitalisation history since birth; admission to hospital on day of emergency department visit; composite growth-risk variable; adjusted odds ratios

Outcomes reported

The study examined associations between household food insecurity and health outcomes in children aged ≤36 months, measuring health status, hospitalisation history, and growth-risk variables. Food-insecure children had significantly higher odds of fair or poor health and hospitalisation compared to food-secure children.

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