Association between household food insecurity and infant growth in rural Bangladesh

Abstract

Food insecurity is a global concern, yet its association with child growth is not fully understood. This study in rural Bangladesh explored associations between household food insecurity, using standardized questions, and infant growth. We asked a published 10‐item, 6‐mo household food insecurity questionnaire at 6 and 12 mo postpartum to 6,333 mothers participating in an antenatal micronutrient supplementation trial. Child weight, length and mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) were measured at 6 and 12 mo. We compared growth to ordinal individual item and summed scores. Infant weight, length and MUAC at 6 and 12 mo of age were associated in a dose‐response direction with graded responses to each of 3 questions related to having few square meals, worrying about food, and needing to buy rice often (all p <0.05). Differences in mean weight, length and MUAC across the scale at 6 and 12 mo were 0.51 and 0.48 kg, 1.63 and 0.87 cm, and 0.64 cm and 0.39 cm, respectively. Updated surveillance data will be presented. Food insecurity is associated with poorer infant growth in rural Bangladesh.Grant Funding Source: Gates Foundation, Sight and Life, and a DSM doctoral fellowship for international micronutrient research