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Relationship between food insecurity and malnutrition in schoolchildren from low- and middle-income countries - A

Diana Marcela Valenzuela-Guzmán1, Julián Esparza-Romero1

  • 1Diabetes Research Unit. Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo A.C.

Nutricion Hospitalaria
|April 26, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Food insecurity (FI) is linked to undernutrition in schoolchildren from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). However, the association between FI and overweight/obesity in this population remains controversial.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Nutrition Science
  • Global Health

Background:

  • Food insecurity (FI) is a significant global challenge, particularly affecting vulnerable populations.
  • Malnutrition, encompassing undernutrition and obesity, poses a critical threat to child development and well-being.
  • Understanding the interplay between FI and nutritional status in schoolchildren from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review the existing literature on the relationship between food insecurity and malnutrition in schoolchildren from LMIC.
  • To synthesize findings regarding undernutrition, overweight, and obesity in relation to FI within this demographic.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, LILACS, SCiELO) from March to April 2022.
  • Search terms included "schoolchildren," "low- and middle-income countries," and "food insecurity," utilizing both text words and controlled vocabulary.
  • Fifteen relevant studies were included in the final analysis.

Main Results:

  • Food insecurity was consistently associated with lower height-for-age and a higher prevalence of undernutrition among schoolchildren in LMIC.
  • The relationship between FI and overweight/obesity showed controversial results, with most studies indicating a lower risk of overweight and obesity in food-insecure children.

Conclusions:

  • A clear link exists between food insecurity and undernutrition in LMIC schoolchildren.
  • The impact of food insecurity on overweight and obesity requires further investigation due to conflicting evidence.
  • Public health strategies must be context-specific and population-tailored to effectively address the nutritional consequences of food insecurity.
Abstract

Keywords:
Inseguridad alimentaria. Escolares. Desnutrición. Poblaciones vulnerables. Países de bajos y medianos ingresos.

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