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Is Maternal Food Security a Predictor of Food and Drink Intake Among Toddlers in Oregon?

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Abstract

Food insecurity has detrimental effects on the mental, physical, and behavioral health of developing children. Few studies, however, have sought to determine whether associations exist between food insecurity and intake of vegetables, fresh or canned fruit, candy or cookies, French fries, fast food, water, milk, fruit juices, fruit drinks, soda, and sports drinks. To identify independent associations that exist between maternal food insecurity and food and drink intake among toddlers, population-based data from the 2006–2008 Oregon Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System follow-back survey (Oregon PRAMS-2) of 1,522 mothers of 2-year-old children were analyzed. Maternal food insecurity was defined as mothers’ report of eating less because of lack of money for food. Typical weekly child food and drink intake was examined using polytomous logistic regression: 0–1 days/week, 2–3 days/week, and 4–7 days/week. Maternal food insecurity prevalence was 11.7 %. Compared to toddlers of food secure mothers, toddlers of food insecure mothers consumed vegetables (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] for 4–7 days/week = 0.31; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.12, 0.79) and fruit (AOR for 4–7 days/week = 0.25; 95 % CI 0.08, 0.75) fewer days of the week. Toddlers of food insecure mothers consumed soda (AOR for 4–7 days/week = 3.21; 95 % CI 1.12, 9.14) more days of the week. Maternal food insecurity is associated with weekly intake of certain foods and drinks. Among toddlers, consumption of fewer vegetables and fruit, and more soda may help explain the link between food insecurity and poor health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Applied Sciences, Scientific Education and Professional Development Program Office, Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, MS E-03, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Timothy J. Cunningham

  2. Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Danielle T. Barradas, Charlan D. Kroelinger & Indu B. Ahluwalia

  3. Office of Family Health, Oregon Public Health Division, Portland, OR, USA

    Kenneth D. Rosenberg

  4. Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Ashleigh L. May

Authors
  1. Timothy J. Cunningham
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  2. Danielle T. Barradas
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  3. Kenneth D. Rosenberg
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  4. Ashleigh L. May
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  5. Charlan D. Kroelinger
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  6. Indu B. Ahluwalia
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Correspondence to Timothy J. Cunningham.

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CDC Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Cunningham, T.J., Barradas, D.T., Rosenberg, K.D. et al. Is Maternal Food Security a Predictor of Food and Drink Intake Among Toddlers in Oregon?. Matern Child Health J 16 (Suppl 2), 339–346 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-012-1094-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-012-1094-8

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