Household Food Insecurity May Predict Underweightand Wasting among Children Aged 24-59 Months
Ahmed A Abdurahman1, Khadijeh Mirzaei2, Ahmed Reza Dorosty2
1a Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics , Tehran University of Medical Sciences, International Campus (TUMS-IC) , Tehran , Iran.
Insights
Food insecurity in households significantly impacts child nutrition, increasing risks of underweight and chronic energy deficiency. Improving household food security is crucial for better child growth and nutritional status.
Area of Science:
- Public Health Nutrition
- Child Health
- Food Security Studies
Background:
- Household food insecurity is a significant global challenge affecting child development.
- Understanding the link between food insecurity and nutritional status in young children is critical for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between household food insecurity and the nutritional status of children aged 24-59 months in Haromaya District.
- To identify specific nutritional outcomes linked to food insecurity in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted with 453 children aged 24-59 months.
- Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and anthropometric measurements were used to assess food security and nutritional status.
- Multinomial and logistic regression analyses were employed to determine associations, controlling for confounding factors.
Main Results:
- The study found high prevalences of stunting (61.1%), underweight (28.1%), and wasting (11.8%) among children.
- 39.7% of households experienced some degree of food insecurity.
- Household food insecurity was a significant predictor of underweight (AOR=2.48) and chronic energy deficiency (AOR=0.47), and marginally significant for wasting (AOR=0.53).
Conclusions:
- Household food insecurity is strongly associated with adverse nutritional outcomes in children.
- Interventions aimed at improving household food security can positively impact child growth and nutritional status.
- Addressing food insecurity is essential for enhancing child health in the Haromaya District.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to examine the association between household food insecurity and nutritional status among children aged 24-59 months in Haromaya District. Children (N = 453) aged 24-59 months were recruited in a community-based cross-sectional survey with a representative sample of households selected by a multistage sampling procedure in Haromaya District. Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and anthropometry were administered. Multinomial logistic regression models were applied to select variables that are candidate for multivariable model. The prevalences of stunting, underweight, and wasting among children aged 24-59 months were 61.1%, 28.1%, and 11.8%, respectively. The mean household food insecurity access scale score was 3.34, and 39.7% of households experienced some degree of food insecurity. By logistic regression analysis and after adjusting for the confounding factors, household food insecurity was significantly predictive of underweight (AOR = 2.48, CI = 1.17-5.24, p = .05) and chronic energy deficiency (AOR = 0.47, CI = 0.23-0.97, p = .04) and marginally significant for wasting (AOR = 0.53, CI = 0.27-1.03, p = .06). It is concluded that household food security improves child growth and nutritional status.
