Association Between Household Food Insecurity and Low Birth Weight: A Population-Based Case-Control Study
Zahra Amiri1, Masoumeh Sadeghi1, Amin Moradi1
1Department of Epidemiology, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Journal of Research in Health Sciences
|October 21, 2024
Summary
Household food insecurity significantly increases the risk of low birth weight (LBW) in newborns. Addressing food insecurity is crucial for improving infant health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Background:
- Low birth weight (LBW) is a critical global health concern, linked to increased neonatal complications.
- Household food insecurity is a potential contributing factor to LBW, necessitating further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between household food insecurity and LBW in Mashhad, Iran.
- To identify other risk factors and protective elements associated with LBW.
Main Methods:
- A population-based case-control study involving 6294 mothers (3247 cases, 3247 controls) delivering between March 2019 and March 2022.
- Food security assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale; logistic regression and GIS techniques employed.
Main Results:
- Household food insecurity was significantly associated with higher odds of LBW (AOR=1.25).
- Additional risk factors included younger maternal age, lower education, cesarean delivery, and secondhand smoke exposure.
- Gestational diabetes showed a protective effect (AOR=0.37); geographic mapping indicated higher LBW prevalence in food-insecure regions.
Conclusions:
- Findings highlight the critical role of household food insecurity in LBW.
- Interventions targeting food security in pregnant women are essential for reducing LBW and enhancing neonatal health.
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