Food insecurity is associated with iron deficiency anemia in U.S. adolescents

Abstract

Food insecurity is a problem faced by many Americans. This condition is associated with decreased intake of nutrients and poor health. Food insecure children are especially vulnerable. Inadequate iron in the diets of food insecure children could eventually lead to iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. The purpose of this study was to formally investigate the current relationship of iron status and food insecurity in children. Child participants ages 1 to 19 years (n=12,329) of the recently released NHANES 1999‐2004 were classified as food secure or food insecure using the U.S. Children's Food Security Scale and the U.S. Household Food Security Module. Two or more abnormal values for transferrin saturation, serum ferritin, and erythrocyte protoporphyrin were used to classify iron deficiency with the addition of low hemoglobin to classify iron deficiency anemia. Results indicated that the odds of iron deficiency anemia were 2.61 times more likely (P=0.029) among food insecure children 12 to 15 years compared with food secure children. The results of this study indicate a continuing need for successful interventions to improve iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia among food insecure children.Source of Financial Support: Purdue University Extension