FOOD INSECURITY IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH OVERWEIGHT STATUS IN 2 YEAR OLD CHILDREN

Authors: CASEY, PATRICK - UAMS; BLACK, MAUREEN - UNIV OF MARYLAND; COOK, JOHN - UNIV OF MARYLAND; GOOLSBY, SUSAN - UAMS; FRANK, DEBORAH - HARBOR-UCLA; BERIKOWITZ, CAROL - MARY'S CTR FOR MATERNAL C; CUTTS, DIANA - MARY'S CTR FOR MATERNAL C; ZALDIVAR, NIEVES - HENNIPIN COUNTY MED CTR; HEEREN, TIMOTHY - HENNIPIN COUNTY MED CTR; LEVENSON, SUZETTE - C-SNAP STUDY GROUP

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: Casey, P.H., Black, M., Cook, J., Goolsby, S., Frank, D., Berikowitz, C., Cutts, D., Zaldivar, N., Heeren, T., Levenson, S. 2004. Food insecurity is not associated with overweight status in 2 year old children. American Pediatric Society / The Society for Pediatric Research. 55(4):221A.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: BACKGROUND: Household food insecurity (FI) reflects inadequacy and instability of food supply in the house. FI has been associated with obesity in adult women; it is unclear whether this relationship exists in children. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of household FI with overweight status in 2-3 year old children, controlling for demographic variables. DESIGN/METHODS: From 9/98 to 6/03, Childrens Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program (C-SNAP) interviewed caregivers of children less than 3 years in Pediatric Clinics/Emergency Departments in 6 sites (AR, CA, MD, MA, MN, DC), and collected children's demographics, the US Food Security Scale, and public assistance program participation. Weights and heights of these children were measured in the clinical settings. BMI adjusted for age and gender was calculated. Children were classified as at risk for overweight (AOW) (BMI' 85th %), or overweight (OW) (' 95th %). The sample was restricted to 24-36 month old children whose family did not have private insurance (a low income proxy). Bivariate analyses identified confounders associated with FI and AOW. Variables associated with both were controlled in logistic regression. RESULTS: The final sample included 1070 children. 22% were FI, 23% were AOW, and 14% were OW. FI was not associated with AOW or OW in bivariate analyses. Site and birth weight were associated with both FI and AOW. Controlling for site and birth weight, food insecurity was not associated with at risk for overweight status or overweight status. Similar negative associations were found when the sample included children from birth through 36 months. CONCLUSIONS: In this convenience clinical sample, food insecurity was not associated with overweight in children < 3, while controlling for relevant covariates