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Children's Very Low Food Security is Associated with Increased Dietary Intakes in Energy, Fat, and Added Sugar among Mexican‐origin Children (6–11 y) in Texas Border Colonias
Author(s) -
Sharkey Joseph R.,
Nalty Courtney,
Johnson Cassandra,
Dean Wesley R.
Publication year - 2012
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.26.1_supplement.28.4
Subject(s) - environmental health , food security , food insecurity , calorie , medicine , added sugar , food group , population , saturated fat , gerontology , sugar , geography , demography , food science , biology , archaeology , endocrinology , cholesterol , sociology , agriculture
Background Food insecurity among Mexican‐origin and Hispanic households is a critical nutritional health issue of national importance. This study assessed the relationship between children's experience of food insecurity and nutrient intake from food and beverages among Mexican‐origin children (age 6–11 y) who resided in Texas border colonias. Methods Baseline data from 50 Mexican‐origin children were collected in the home by trained promotora‐researchers. All survey (demographics and nine‐item child food security measure) and 24‐hour dietary recall data were collected in Spanish. Separate multiple regression models were individually fitted for specific nutrients. Results Thirty‐two children (64%) reported low or very low food security. Very low food security was associated with greater intakes of total energy and percentage of calories from fat and added sugar. Conclusions Such findings have implications at a regional and national level, as the Mexican‐origin population continues to grow along the border and in new destination communities. Child‐reported food insecurity situations could serve as a screen for nutrition problems in children. Further, the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, which play a major beneficial role in children's weekday intakes, may not be enough to keep pace with the nutritional needs of low and very low food secure Mexican‐origin children.