Health consequences of food insecurity
Food insecurity could be connected to chronic conditions in U.S. children.
In a study published in JAMA Network Open, investigators used 2019 to 2023 data from the National Health Interview Survey to examine the prevalence of food insecurity among children aged 2 to 17 years with and without chronic conditions such as asthma, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay, intellectual or learning disability and prediabetes or diabetes.
The investigators found that compared with those who didn’t have chronic conditions, the prevalence of food insecurity was higher among the children with chronic conditions. Food insecurity was most associated with prediabetes or diabetes, followed by intellectual disability, asthma, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and learning disability.
The investigators proposed a bidirectional relationship between food insecurity and chronic conditions — in which food insecurity can result in or exacerbate chronic conditions because of poor diet quality, and having chronic conditions can impact the ability to earn a high enough income to sustain food security. Targeted interventions designed to combat food insecurity at the policy level could help stem the prevalence of chronic conditions in children.
Read more: JAMA Network Open
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