Food insecurity among Australian children : potential determinants, health and developmental consequences

Abstract

Purpose: Food insecurity is the limited/uncertain ability to acquire nutritionally-adequate, culturally-relevant or safe foods. Children from food insecure households are likely to have diets lower in fruits and vegetables and may experience adverse health, developmental and social consequences, leading to poorer psychosocial outcomes during adulthood. This study investigated the associations between food insecurity, potential determinants and potential health and developmental outcomes among children residing in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.

Methods: Households from the most socio-economically disadvantaged 5% of areas in Brisbane were randomly selected for participation. Data were collected in 2009 by mail survey using proxy-parental reports (n = 185 households with children). Information was collected on household food security, income, household composition, parental country of birth, parental employment status, child’s weight status, days away from school/activities, general health and behavioural problems. Data were analysed using logistic regression.

Results/Findings: Approximately one-in-three households (34%) with children were food insecure. Households with lower incomes were 16-times more likely to report food insecurity compared to their higher-income counterparts. Children whose parents were born outside of Australia were less likely to experience food insecurity. Food insecurity was associated with a two-to-three fold increase in: days away from school/ extra-curricular activities, atypical emotional symptoms and behavioural difficulties. Food insecurity was not associated with child weight status.

Conclusion: Food insecurity may be prevalent among households with children in socioeconomically-disadvantaged areas. The potential developmental consequences of food insecurity during childhood may result in serious adverse health and social implications that may be sustained throughout the life course.