Determinants and consequences of food insecurity in families having children under the age of 2 years

Abstract

Background: Today, food insecurity is recognized as an important public health problem that can have detrimental effects on families. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the determinants and consequences of food insecurity in families having children under the age of 2 years. Method: In this cross-sectional study, 307 mothers and their children under the age of 2 years were selected by stratified random sampling. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected by completing questionnaires through face-to-face interview. Household food insecurity (HFI) status was determined using the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) household food security questionnaire. Results: Based on the results, 67.4% of families were high food secure. Low and very low food security was 25.7% and 6.9%, respectively. House size (Beta = −0.019, 95% CI: −0.029, −0.009), father's job (Beta = −4.758, 95% CI:−6.777, −2.738), father education (Beta = −0.370, 95% CI: −0.717, −0.023), and economic status (Beta = −0.628, 95% CI: −0.809, −0.448) were significantly related to the USDA total food insecurity score ( p < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that children birth weight, father’s body mass index (BMI), and mother's waist circumference had a significant positive correlation with weight for age (Z-score) of children. Children’s birth weight, father’s BMI, and HFI status had significant and positive correlation with weight for length (Z-score). Moreover, the significant association between children’s birth height, mother’s BMI, and mother's waist circumference with length for age (Z-score) were observed ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: We found the father's job was the most effective factor in food insecurity and economic status of the family was in the second place. Also, HFI had a relationship with weight status of children under the age of 2 years.