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Food insecurity among Australian children: potential determinants, health and developmental consequences

Rebecca Ramsey1, Katrina Giskes, Gavin Turrell

  • 1Queensland University of Technology, School of Public Health, Brisbane, Australia. rebecca.ramsey@qut.edu.au

Journal of Child Health Care : for Professionals Working with Children in the Hospital and Community
|December 27, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Food insecurity affects one-third of households with children, increasing risks for missed school days and emotional or behavioral issues. This highlights significant health and social implications for child development.

Area of Science:

  • Child Health
  • Socioeconomic Determinants of Health
  • Nutritional Epidemiology

Background:

  • Food insecurity in households with children is linked to adverse health and developmental outcomes.
  • Understanding the prevalence and determinants of childhood food insecurity is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the associations between household food insecurity, its determinants, and health/developmental outcomes in children aged 3-17 years.
  • To identify specific risks and protective factors associated with food insecurity in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional mail survey utilizing proxy-parental reports from 185 households in disadvantaged suburbs.
  • Data collected on household food security, socio-demographics, and child's weight, health, and behavior.
  • Logistic regression analysis to determine associations and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Main Results:

  • 34% of households reported food insecurity.
  • Low household income significantly increased the risk of food insecurity (OR, 16.20; 95% CI, 3.52-74.47).
  • Children in food-insecure households showed increased likelihood of school absenteeism (OR, 3.52; 95% CI, 1.46-8.54), emotional symptoms (OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.11-5.38), and behavioral difficulties (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.04-5.33).

Conclusions:

  • Food insecurity is prevalent in socioeconomically disadvantaged households with children.
  • Childhood food insecurity is associated with negative health and developmental outcomes, including emotional and behavioral problems.
  • Addressing food insecurity is critical to mitigate adverse health and social implications during childhood.

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