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Household food insecurity associated with child cognitive development in a rural Kenyan community on Lake Victoria (378.6)
Author(s) -
Milner Erin,
Fiorella Kathryn,
Hickey Matthew,
Salmen Charles,
Omollo Dan,
Mattah Brian,
Magerenge Richard,
Brashares Justin,
Fernald Lia
Publication year - 2014
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.28.1_supplement.378.6
Subject(s) - food security , gross motor skill , kenya , anthropometry , food insecurity , scale (ratio) , environmental health , psychological intervention , child development , mediation , psychology , socioeconomics , geography , medicine , economics , developmental psychology , motor skill , political science , agriculture , cartography , archaeology , psychiatry , law
Household food insecurity around Kenya’s Lake Victoria is widespread. The goal of this study was to examine the associations between food insecurity, child anthropometry and child development in 300 children 0‐2 years old living in a rural lakeside community in Kenya. Outcome measures obtained included anthropometric measurements (length and weight) and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire [ASQ] (Gross Motor, Personal‐Social, and Communication sub‐scales). Household food insecurity was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale [HFIAS], and a scale of household food security was created using standard techniques. Results indicate that household food insecurity was associated with scores on the ASQ. In sub‐scale analyses, performance on the Gross Motor sub‐scale was most strongly associated with food insecurity (p=0.008). Stunting is significantly associated with gross motor scores (β=‐0.012, 95%CI:‐0.022 to ‐0.0029, p=0.01) and personal‐social scores (β=‐0.021, 95%CI:‐0.042 to ‐0.00079, p=0.04). Mediation analyses suggest that some of the association between household food security and child development is explained by child anthropometry (length‐for‐age). The associations between food insecurity and child development have potential policy and program implications. Understanding these findings may also inform future interventions designed to improve child cognitive development. Grant Funding Source : NSF‐GEO grant #115057, NAS Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research