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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Little Rock, Arkansas » Microbiome and Metabolism Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #183429
Title: RACIAL/ETHNIC DISPARITIES IN INCREASES IN FOOD INSECURITY AND HOSPITALIZATIONS FROM 1999-2002 AMONG FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN < 3 YEARS OLD

Author
item FRANK, DEBORAH - BOSTON UNIV
item CUTTS, DIANA - BOSTON UNIV
item CASEY, PATRICK - UAMS/ACHRI
item NEAULT, NICHOLE - HENNEPIN CO MED CTR
item LEVENSON, SUZETTE - HENNEPIN CO MED CTR
item CASTRO, DOROTHY - HENNEPIN CO MED CTR
item HEEREN, TIMOTHY - BOSTON UNIV
item COOK, JOHN - BOSTON UNIV

Submitted to: American Pediatric Society / The Society for Pediatric Research
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2004
Publication Date: 6/15/2004
Citation: Frank, D.A., Cutts, D.B., Casey, P., Neault, N., Levenson, S.M., Castro, D., Heeren, T.C., Cook, J. 2004. Racial/ethnic disparities in increases in food insecurity and hospitalizations from 1999-2002 among families with children < 3 years old. American Pediatric Society / The Society for Pediatric Research. 55(4):164A.

Interpretive Summary: Having enough food to assure for an active and healthy life is essential. This study examined this issue in Hispanics, non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic-Blacks. The results suggest that non-Hispanic Blacks had the highest household and child food insecurity when compared with Hispanics or non-Hispanic whites. In addition, there were more urgent hospitalizations in non-Hispanic Blacks.

Technical Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nationally food insecurity (the inability to obtain enough food for an active and healthy life) increased 13% between 2000 and 2002, but the pattern of change in families of differing race/ethnicities with young children in the critical period of brain growth is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To describe changes in household and child food insecurity among Hispanics (H), Non Hispanic Whites (NHW), and Non Hispanic Blacks (NHB) from 1999 to 2002. DESIGN/METHODS: From 1/1/99 through 12/31/02 the Children's Sentinel Nutritional Assessment Program (CSNAP) interviewed 7613 caregivers without private health insurance accompanying children < 3years old to a pediatric clinic (Minneapolis) and two pediatric emergency departments (Boston, Little Rock)documenting demographic characteristics, program participation, and responses to the USDA Food Security Scale. Food insecurity was scored at both the family and the child level. Medical records were reviewed to document whether children were acutely admitted from the emergency department visits. Background characteristics which differed over time for each race/ethnicity group were controlled in logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The sample was 25% H, 16% NHW, 59% NHB. Rates of LBW did not differ by year of measurement in any group. After control for site, whether mother was US born, whether the mother was < 21, mother's education, and child's age,NHB children experienced significant increases in 2002 compared to 1999 in household food insecurity (AOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.49-2.33, p<.0001), child food insecurity (AOR 1.96, 95% CI 1.46-2.64, p<.001), and urgent hospital admission (AOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.11-2.16, p=.01), while H children showed smaller increases in household food insecurity (AOR 1.37, 95% CI 1.01-1.86, p=.04) and child food inscurity (AOR 1.45 , 95% CI 1.02-2.06, p=.04) but no increase in hospital admission (p=.85). W children experienced no significant increase in any outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In this multisite sample of young children without private insurance there are marked racial/ ethnic disparities in changes over time in household food insecurity, child food insecurity, and urgent hospitalization, with NHB children experiencing the most profound increasaes.