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01-03-2006

Child Food Insecurity and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Low-Income Infants and Toddlers in the United States

Authors: Anne Skalicky, MPH, Alan F. Meyers, MD,MPH, William G. Adams, MD, Zhaoyan Yang, MS, John T. Cook, PhD, Deborah A. Frank, MD

Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Issue 2/2006

Abstract

Objective: Examine the association between child-level food insecurity and iron status in young children utilizing community-based data from the Children's Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program (C-SNAP). Methods: A cross-sectional sample of caregivers of children ≤36 months of age utilizing emergency department (ED) services were interviewed between 6/96–5/01. Caregiver interviews, which included questions on child-level food security, were linked to a primary clinic database containing hemoglobin, red blood cell distribution width, mean corpuscular volume, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin and lead values. Children a priori at-risk for anemia: birthweight ≤2500 g, with HIV/AIDS, sickle cell disease, or lead values ≥10.0 ug/dL, and children ≤6 months of age were excluded from the analysis. Only laboratory tests 365 days prior or 90 days after interview were examined. Iron status was classified in four mutually exclusive categories: 1) Iron Sufficient-No Anemia (ISNA), 2) Anemia (without iron deficiency), 3) Iron Deficient-No Anemia (IDNA), 4) Iron Deficient with Anemia (IDA). Results: 626 ED interviews linked to laboratory data met the inclusion criteria. Food insecure children were significantly more likely to have IDA compared to food secure children [Adjusted Odds Ratio = 2.4, 95% CI (1.1–5.2), p = 0.02]. There was no association between child food insecurity and anemia without iron deficiency or iron deficiency without anemia. Conclusion: These findings suggest an association between child level food insecurity and iron deficiency anemia, a clinically important health indicator with known negative cognitive, behavioral and health consequences. Cuts in spending on food assistance programs that address children's food insecurity may lead to adverse health consequences.

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Title: Child Food Insecurity and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Low-Income Infants and Toddlers in the United States
Authors: Anne Skalicky, MPH
Alan F. Meyers, MD,MPH
William G. Adams, MD
Zhaoyan Yang, MS
John T. Cook, PhD
Deborah A. Frank, MD
Publication date: 01-03-2006
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal / Issue 2/2006
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-005-0036-0

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Child Food Insecurity and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Low-Income Infants and Toddlers in the United States

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