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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Care | Research article

Screening for marginal food security in young children in primary care

Authors: Imaan Bayoumi, Catherine S. Birken, Kimberly M. Nurse, Patricia C. Parkin, Jonathon L. Maguire, Colin Macarthur, Janis A. Randall Simpson, Cornelia M. Borkhoff

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Household food insecurity (FI), even at marginal levels, is associated with poor child health outcomes. The Nutrition Screening Tool for Every Preschooler (NutriSTEP®) is a valid and reliable 17-item parent-completed measure of nutrition risk and includes a single item addressing FI which may be a useful child-specific screening tool. We evaluated the diagnostic test properties of the single NutriSTEP® FI question using the 2-item Hunger Vital Sign™ as the criterion measure in a primary care population of healthy children ages 18 months to 5 years.

Results

The sample included 1174 families, 53 (4.5%) of which were marginally food secure. An affirmative response to the single NutriSTEP® question “I have difficulty buying food I want to feed my child because food is expensive” had a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 91% and demonstrated good construct validity when compared with the Hunger Vital Sign™.

Conclusion

The single NutriSTEP® question may be an effective screening tool in clinical practice to identify marginal food security in families with young children and to link families with community-based services or financial assistance programs including tax benefits.

Trial registration

TARGet Kids! practice-based research network (Registered June 5, 2013 at www.clinicaltrials.gov; NCT01869530); www.targetkids.ca

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Title: Screening for marginal food security in young children in primary care
Authors: Imaan Bayoumi
Catherine S. Birken
Kimberly M. Nurse
Patricia C. Parkin
Jonathon L. Maguire
Colin Macarthur
Janis A. Randall Simpson
Cornelia M. Borkhoff
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Care
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-02674-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Screening for marginal food security in young children in primary care

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

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