Childhood at Risk: Nutritional Conditions of Children Living Under Food Insecurity

This review aimed to analyze the repercussions of hunger and poverty, exacerbated by food insecurity, on child development, as well as the outcomes associated with these conditions and potential mitigation strategies targeting this age group.

Food insecurity is strongly associated with adverse nutritional outcomes in childhood, including stunting, undernutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies such as vitamin A, iron, and zinc. Although the prevalence of undernutrition has declined in some contexts, stunting remains a significant marker of social inequality. These conditions reflect poorly diversified diets, characterized by restricted access to healthy foods and reduced consumption of fruits and vegetables as food insecurity levels increase. The relationship between food insecurity and overweight, in turn, appears to be complex and heterogeneous, reflecting different vulnerability patterns that contribute to the growing burden of malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries. Hunger and poverty, worsened by food insecurity, negatively impact child development, resulting in growth deficits, cognitive impairments, and socioemotional challenges. Low maternal education, limited household income, and poor access to nutritious foods were identified as key determinants of these outcomes.