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Household Food Security was Associated with Growth of Infants and Young Children in Rural Bangladesh
Author(s) -
Saha Kuntal Kumar,
Frongillo Edward A,
Alam Dewan S,
Arifeen Shams E,
Persson Lars Åke,
Rasmussen Kathleen M
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.871.4
Subject(s) - underweight , anthropometry , malnutrition , food security , environmental health , population , demography , medicine , birth weight , pediatrics , obesity , geography , pregnancy , agriculture , biology , overweight , archaeology , pathology , sociology , genetics
The association between household food security (HHFS) and growth of infants and young children has not been adequately studied, particularly in developing countries. To investigate this, we followed 1343 children from birth to 24 mo of age who were born in the Maternal and Infant Nutrition Intervention in Matlab study in Bangladesh. A food‐security scale was created from the data collected on HHFS from the mothers during pregnancy. Data on weight and length were collected monthly in the first year and quarterly in the second year of life. Anthropometric indices were calculated relative to the 2006 WHO child growth standards. Growth trajectories were modeled using multilevel models for change. HHFS was associated (P < 0.05) with greater weight and length gain in this cohort. Attained weight, length, and anthropometric indices from birth to 24 mo were higher (P < 0.001) among those who were in food‐secure households. Proportions of underweight and stunting were significantly lower in food‐secure households. These results suggest that HHFS is a determinant of child growth in this population, and that it may be necessary to ensure household food security of these rural poor households to prevent highly prevalent undernutrition in this population. (Fogarty NIH Training Grant (5 D 43 TW).