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Dual Food and Energy Hardship and Associated Child Behavior Problems

Cristina R Fernández1, Maiko Yomogida2, Yumiko Aratani3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center (CR Fernández).

Academic Pediatrics
|July 15, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Dual food and energy hardship in children is linked to increased risks of withdrawn, somatic, and rule-breaking behaviors. Addressing these hardships may improve child behavioral outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Socioeconomic Determinants of Health

Background:

  • Food and energy hardship are significant socioeconomic stressors.
  • These hardships can disproportionately affect child development and well-being.
  • Understanding the combined impact of dual hardship is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between dual food and energy hardship and behavioral problems in 9-year-old children.
  • To examine both internalizing and externalizing behaviors in relation to hardship.
  • To identify potential clinical implications for screening and support.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional analysis of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study cohort.
  • Maternal reports of food and energy hardship within the past year.
  • Child behavior assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).
  • Logistic regression analyses adjusted for covariates.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 10% of households reported dual food and energy hardship.
  • Children with dual hardship showed significantly higher odds of withdrawn/depressed behaviors (AOR 2.8).
  • Increased odds were observed for somatic complaints (AOR 3.2) and rule-breaking behavior (AOR 3.7).
  • Dual hardship was associated with fourfold greater odds of somatic complaints compared to energy hardship alone (AOR 4.2).

Conclusions:

  • Dual food and energy hardship are associated with increased odds of coexisting internalizing and externalizing behaviors in children.
  • Clinical settings can consider screening for these hardships alongside behavioral assessments.
  • Resource referrals for addressable hardships may support child behavioral health.
Abstract

Keywords:
child behaviorenergy hardshipfood hardshippovertyscreening

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