Child Health-Related Quality of Life and Household Food Security
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2005
Department
Nutrition and Food Systems
Abstract
Objective To examine the association of household food insecurity with child self- or proxy-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
Design Cross-sectional telephone survey from January 1, 2000, through June 30, 2000.
Participants Three hundred ninety-nine children who live in 36 counties of the Delta region of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Main Outcome Measures Household food insecurity status was measured using the US Household Food Security Scale. Child HRQOL was measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, 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 HRQOL (PPP = .001), while children aged 12 through 17 years reported lower psychosocial function (P = .007). Black males in food insecure households reported lower physical function (PP<.05).
Conclusions Children who live in food insecure households have poorer HRQOL. 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.
Publication Title
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
Volume
159
Issue
1
First Page
51
Last Page
56
Recommended 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 & Adolescent Medicine, 159(1), 51-56.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/2894