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Food insecurity is associated with diet and bone mass disparities in early adolescent U.S. males but not females
Author(s) -
EicherMiller Heather Ann,
Mason April C.,
Weaver Connie M.,
McCabe George P.,
Boushey Carol J.
Publication year - 2011
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.25.1_supplement.lb190
Subject(s) - environmental health , national health and nutrition examination survey , medicine , food security , food insecurity , demography , gerontology , population , geography , sociology , agriculture , archaeology
Food insecurity is a condition associated with decreased nutrient intake and poor health that may be associated with low bone mass in children. The purpose of this study was to formally investigate the relationship of diet, bone mass and food insecurity among children ages 8–19y (n=5,270). The data used in this cross‐sectional study were drawn from children participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001–2004. Homes and NHANES Mobile Examination Centers across the United States were the setting for data collection. Children were classified for food security status using the US Children's Food Security Scale and the US Household Food Security Scale. Dietary measures were quantified by 24‐hour dietary recall and bone mineral content was determined with whole body dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry. Results of the study indicated that males 8–11y from households with food insecurity among children were 2.5 times more likely to have less than the USDA Food Guide recommended servings of dairy foods, 2.3 times more likely to have less than the Estimated Average Requirement for calcium intake, and to have a significantly lower estimated total body, trunk, lumbar spine, pelvis, and left arm bone mineral content compared with males 8–11y from households with food security among children. No differences in calcium related dietary factors or bone mineral content existed among females by food security status. These results are evidence that health disparities persist among 8–11y food insecure boys. Successful interventions to improve diet, bone health, and reduce food insecurity among children are a continuing need in the United States. *Source of Support: Purdue University Extension