Family Food Insecurity and Child Nutrition During COVID-19: Examining Latino Families’ Response to the Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 121 (9) ◽  
pp. A90
Author(s):  
C. Coccia ◽  
S. Jeune ◽  
P. Lovan ◽  
A. Dick ◽  
P. Graziano
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Latino Families

scholarly journals Use of Expressed Breastmilk at Two Weeks Postpartum Is Associated With Early Cessation and Non-exclusive Breastmilk Feeding for Six Months in a Cohort of Vulnerable Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 786-786
Author(s):  
Alison Mildon ◽  
Jane Francis ◽  
Stacia Stewart ◽  
Bronwyn Underhill ◽  
Yi Man Ng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Canadian Community Health Survey ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Prenatal Nutrition ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Early Postpartum ◽  
Vulnerable Families

Abstract Objectives Pumping and feeding expressed breastmilk (EBM) in the early postpartum period are common but may not support longer-term breastfeeding outcomes. Our objectives were to examine in a cohort of vulnerable mothers of term-born infants: i) the prevalence of EBM feeding; and ii) associations between EBM use at two weeks and any and exclusive breastmilk feeding over the first six months postpartum. Methods We pooled data from two studies conducted with participants (n = 316) at three Toronto sites implementing the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program, an initiative targeting vulnerable families. Socio-demographic data were collected prenatally or at two weeks postpartum. Household food insecurity was assessed at six months using the Canadian Community Health Survey module. A standardized questionnaire was administered prospectively at two weeks and two, four and six months postpartum to collect data on infant feeding practices in the previous two weeks. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed. Results The mean age of participants was 32 years, 91% were born outside Canada and 38% had lived in Canada less than three years. Nearly half (44%) reported household food insecurity. All participants initiated breastfeeding and 34% reported EBM use at two weeks postpartum. This declined to 24% at two months, 14% at four months and 8% at six months postpartum. Over the six-month follow-up period, 20% discontinued any breastmilk feeding and only 16% practiced exclusive breastmilk feeding. In adjusted models, EBM use at two weeks was associated with breastmilk feeding cessation (OR 2.75; 95% CI: 1.4–5.2) and non-exclusive breastmilk feeding for six months postpartum (OR 4.32; 95% CI 1.8–10.5). Conclusions EBM use in the first two weeks was a predictor of early cessation and non-exclusive breastmilk feeding for six months postpartum in our cohort of vulnerable women living in an urban Canadian context and accessing prenatal nutrition programs. Further research is needed to determine whether early EBM use is a marker for breastfeeding difficulties or undermines longer-term breastfeeding outcomes. Funding Sources Canadian Institutes of Health Research; The Sprott Foundation: Joannah and Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition.

Stunting, dietary diversity and household food insecurity among children under 5 years in ethnic communities of northern Thailand

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 772-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna L Roesler ◽  
Lisa G Smithers ◽  
Prasit Wangpakapattanawong ◽  
Vivienne Moore
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Ethnic Communities ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Northern Thailand ◽  
Households With Children ◽  
Minimum Dietary Diversity ◽  
Children Under 5

ABSTRACT Background The aim of this study was to describe stunting in infants and young children in the ethnic communities of northern Thailand and to explore associations with dietary diversity and household factors including food security. Methods A cross-sectional survey of households with children under 5 years from eight villages. Adult respondents provided information on foods consumed by each child and details of the household. Heights and weights of children were measured. Results Adults from 172 households and 208 children participated. Overall, 38% of children were stunted. Exclusive breastfeeding was rare, but the proportion consuming breastmilk at 24 months (75%) was high. Few children (7%) aged 6–11 months met minimum dietary diversity. Stunted children were less likely than non-stunted children to meet minimum dietary diversity (63 versus 82%). Widespread food insecurity did not discriminate between stunted and non-stunted children. Stunting was elevated when households had little land and few animals. Conclusions Stunting was widespread in children under 5 years of age, in part reflecting poor dietary diversity, especially at age 6–11 months. Stunting was worst in households with least assets. Small increases in land or animals, or equivalent resources, appear to be required to improve child nutrition in extremely poor families.

Food Insecurity and Public Health

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly Knowles ◽  
Joanna Simmons ◽  
Mariana Chilton
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
The Right

Food insecurity—lack of access to enough food for an active and healthy life—is a major public health issue, affecting the health and well-being of one in seven people in the United States. Food insecurity is related to economic, social, and political conditions, and is beyond the control of a single household. Structural inequalities and discrimination against people of color, LGBTQ people, immigrants, people with disabilities, and women drives disparities in food insecurity. Major policy interventions include raising wages, improving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, various programs of the Child Nutrition Reauthorization, and the Elder Nutrition Program, but these programs are not sufficient to address food insecurity fully. A human rights approach, which recognizes the right to food and promotes increasing civic participation among people from all sectors, offers new possibilities in addressing food insecurity in the United States.

scholarly journals Relationship of Malnutrition in Children with Food and Nutrition Insecurity in Fars Province, Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Razieh Shenavar ◽  
Mohsen Moghaddami ◽  
Soheila Shaghaghian ◽  
Mohsen Ali Akbarpoor ◽  
Mansore Nowrospour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Maternal Body Mass Index ◽  
Fars Province ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Maternal Knowledge ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
Knowledge And Practice

Background: Because of the high prevalence and serious complications of malnutrition in children, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the association of malnutrition in children with food and nutrition insecurity in Fars Province, Iran. Methods: In this case-control study, all 6 - 60-month-old children living in Fars Province in 2015, whose weight-for-age curve was below the third percentile, were included as the malnourished group (case group). Also, 1000 sex- and age-matched children without any growth retardations were selected as the well-nourished group (control group). The children’s food and nutrition insecurity was evaluated using a questionnaire consisting of the child's feeding, household sanitation status, and food security, besides maternal knowledge and practice about child nutrition. Finally, the food insecurity status of the two groups was compared. Results: Based on the findings, 943 (47.1%) children lived in food-insecure households, with a higher percentage of malnourished children than well-nourished ones (57.8% vs. 36.5%; P < 0.001). The probability of malnutrition in children with unemployed fathers was twice as high as those with full-time working fathers (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.38 - 0.83). Malnutrition in children was significantly associated with their birth weight (P < 0.001), maternal body mass index (P < 0.001), maternal knowledge and practice about child feeding (P < 0.001 for both), and having sanitary latrines at home as an indicator of household sanitary status (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Malnutrition in children had significant associations with many aspects of food and nutrition insecurity. To decrease the prevalence of malnutrition, health systems, and other organizations should design policies to improve food insecurity, especially those focusing on family education and nutritional support for low socioeconomic families.

School nutrition professionals' experiences with food safety and special diets in school meals during the initial COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Beckstead ◽  
Mckenna Jones ◽  
Lori Andersen Spruance ◽  
Emily Patten
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
School Nutrition ◽  
Food Allergies ◽  
School Meals ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Special Diet ◽  
Special Diets ◽  
Nutrition Professionals

Federally funded school meals can help alleviate food insecurity and meals are required to be modified when medically necessary (i.e., food allergies, special diets). The COVID-19 pandemic caused many schools across the USA to close, but schools quickly modified meal serving models. The purpose of this study was to understand how school nutrition professionals were ensuring food safety and providing special diets through these modified serving models. A survey was distributed to a convenience sample (n=504). At the time of the survey, most respondents (68.31%) had been involved in COVID-19 emergency feeding for 3-4 weeks. Results indicated that while most child nutrition professionals did not find food safety easier or more difficult during the initial onset of COVID-19, about 1/3 of respondents were not taking food temperatures during meal service and were not able to obtain the equipment necessary for holding hot foods. Most respondents (60.23%) also indicated that they were not accommodating children with special diets. From a qualitative analysis of open-ended questions relative to special diet accommodation, themes indicated participants had challenges obtaining specialty items, had little time to make accommodations, or had a limited supply from vendors to accommodate these diets. To prevent food insecurity and to maintain health during the pandemic, specific solutions for at-risk populations, like those who experience food allergies, must be considered.

scholarly journals Agricultural production diversity and child nutrition in Ethiopia

Food Security ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryia Bakhtsiyarava ◽  
Kathryn Grace
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Farm Production ◽  
Child Height ◽  
Household Farm ◽  
Production Diversity ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Height For Age

AbstractThis study investigates how two aspects of agricultural production diversity – farm production diversity and composition of production – relate to child height-for-age and weight-for-height in Ethiopia. We use longitudinal data on child anthropometric measurements, household farm production diversity and farm production composition from the Ethiopia Socioeconomic Survey for 2011, 2013, and 2015 available through the World Bank. Using longitudinal fixed effects models, we show that an increase in farm production diversity reduces the risk of chronic food insecurity (child height-for-age) but has no impact on acute measures of food insecurity (child weight-for-height). Results also suggest that, in a context of poor rainfall, more diversity in farm production can adversely impact child height-for-age, although livestock sales might mitigate that detrimental effect. These findings highlight the importance of considering the relationship between farm-level food production and child nutrition in a context of climate change.

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