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Prevalence, socio-economic predictors and health correlates of food insecurity among Italian children- findings from a cross-sectional study

Author

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  • Drieda Zaҫe

    (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)

  • Maria Luisa Di Pietro

    (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)

  • Laura Reali

    (Primary Care Paediatrician)

  • Chiara de Waure

    (Università degli Studi di Perugia)

  • Walter Ricciardi

    (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
    Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS)

Abstract

Considering food insecurity is a problem, even in developed countries, and the evidence gap regarding this issue in Italy, we aimed to assess the prevalence of food insecurity in a sample of Italian children and examine socio-economic and health correlates. This cross-sectional study was conducted in paediatric practices. Parents answered to the 18-items of the Household Food Security Module, 8 of which concern children. Paediatricians answered a questionnaire on children’s health. Socio-economic and health correlates of food insecurity in children were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Among 573 households with children, 15·4% were food insecure, while 9·1% of children were food insecure. Socio-economic factors associated to food insecurity were living in south Italy, households with three or more children, lower household yearly income, worse economic situation description and younger parents. Food insecure children were less likely to have a normal relational [ aOR 0.31 (CI 0.11-0.85)] and physical development [aOR 0.32(CI 0.15-0.65) and had more school difficulties [aOR 3.1(CI 1.33-7.24)] compared to their food secure peers. Food insecure children had higher odds of a deterioration in their health since birth and of a worse perceived health status, as reported by their parents. Considering the results in this sample and the lack of research regarding this issues in Italy and Europe more broadly, we call for consistent, national monitoring to determine the magnitude of the problem of food insecurity in households with children in Italy and to examine the socio-economic variables and health implications in different contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Drieda Zaҫe & Maria Luisa Di Pietro & Laura Reali & Chiara de Waure & Walter Ricciardi, 2021. "Prevalence, socio-economic predictors and health correlates of food insecurity among Italian children- findings from a cross-sectional study," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 13(1), pages 13-24, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ssefpa:v:13:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s12571-020-01111-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s12571-020-01111-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Miller, D.P. & Nepomnyaschy, L. & Ibarra, G.L. & Garasky, S., 2014. "Family structure and child food insecurity," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(7), pages 70-76.
    2. Isabel Maia & Teresa Monjardino & Raquel Lucas & Elisabete Ramos & Ana Cristina Santos, 2019. "Household food insecurity and socio-demographic determinants in young adults: findings from a Portuguese population-based sample," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 64(6), pages 887-895, July.
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    4. Loopstra, Rachel & Reeves, Aaron & McKee, Martin & Stuckler, David, 2016. "Food insecurity and social protection in Europe: quasi-natural experiment of Europe's great recessions 2004–2012," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 66829, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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    6. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew P. & Gregory, Christian & Singh, Anita, 2015. "Household Food Security in the United States in 2014," Economic Research Report 262204, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    7. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew P. & Gregory, Christian A. & Singh, Anita, 2019. "Household Food Security in the United States in 2018," Economic Research Report 301167, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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