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Title: CHILD HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY

Author
item CASEY, PATRICK - DELTA NIRI
item SZETO, KITTY - DELTA NIRI
item ROBBINS, JAMES - DELTA NIRI
item STUFF, JANICE - DELTA NIRI
item CONNELL, CAROL - DELTA NIRI
item GOSSETT, JEFFERY - DELTA NIRI
item SIMPSON, PIPPA - DELTA NIRI

Submitted to: Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/9/2004
Publication Date: 1/15/2005
Citation: Casey, P.H., Szeto, K.L., Robbins, J.M., Stuff, J.E., Connell, C., Gossett, J.M., Simpson, P.M. 2005. Child health related quality of life and household food security. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 159:51-56.

Interpretive Summary: In 2002 11.1% (12.1 million) of all U.S. households were food insecure. Sixteen percent of households with children were food insecure at some time during the preceding year. The prevalence of food insecurity is higher in African American (22%) and Hispanic households (21.7%) than in households of other racial groups. Children in food insufficient households have lower general health status and more negative health-related symptoms compared to those in food sufficient households. In 2000, we conducted a telephone survey of a representative sample of children who live in 36 counties and parishes of the Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD) region of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Residents of this region are at increased risk for food insecurity and health problems. We conclude that children who live in food insecure households have poorer health related quality of life, and the effects of household food insecurity on physical or psychosocial function may differ by age, ethnicity, and gender. This information will be beneficial to investigators, public health officials, and policy makers.

Technical Abstract: Objective: To examine the association of household food insecurity with child self or proxy reported health quality of life. Design: Cross sectional telephone survey from January through June, 2000. Participants: 399 children who live in 36 counties of the Delta region of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Main Measures: Household food insecurity status was measured with U.S. Household Food Security Scale. Child health related quality of life was measured by PEDS QL version 4.0. Analysis: Summary statistics, linear and logistic regressions, incorporating survey weights, performed with SUDAAN version 8. Results: Household food insecurity was significantly associated with total child health related quality of life (p<0.05) and physical function (p<0.05), adjusted for child age, ethnicity, gender, and family income. Children age 3-8 years in food insecure households reported by parents to have lower physical function (p=0.001, while children age 12-17 years reported lower psychosocial function (p=0.007). Black males in food insecure households, reported lower physical function (p<0.05) and lower total health related quality of life (p<0.05). Conclusion: Children who live in food insecure households have poorer health related quality of life. The effect on physical or psychosocial function may differ by age, ethnicity, and gender. Food security should be considered an important risk factor for child health.