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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #404130
Research Project: Preventing the Development of Childhood Obesity

Location: Children's Nutrition Research Center

Title: Regional variability in prevalence of food insecurity and weight status among US children

Author
item DAVE, JAYNA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item CHEN, TZUAN - University Of Houston
item CASTRO, ALEXANDRA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item WHITE, MAMIE - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item Thompson, Deborah - Debbe

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/5/2023
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: One contextual determinant of health that has received less attention in the food insecurity literature is the role of place of residence (urban/rural). With the increasing rates of obesity and food insecurity, it is imperative to continue to examine the association between obesity and food insecurity among children from different age groups using nationally representative samples of urban and rural children obtained simultaneously. The purpose of this study was to assess the regional variability (urban/rural) in prevalence of food insecurity and weight status among US children. Using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2016 with three age groups of children (2-5, 6-11, and 12-17 years old), the associations of weight status and child and household food security status by urban/rural residence were examined using Rao-Scott Chi-square tests. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Relative to 6–11-year-old children living in rural areas, children living in urban areas were significantly more likely to report household food insecurity (29.15% vs. 19.10%). The associations between children's weight status and child and household food security status were significant for children living in urban areas overall and different age groups, but not for children living in rural areas. These trends exacerbated in older age groups. These findings suggest that children, especially those experiencing food insecurity in urban areas, are an important target group for future obesity prevention programs.