Household food security status is associated with anemia risk at 18 months among low income infants in Massachusetts (805.12)

Abstract

Both household (HH) food insecurity and infancy anemia are important public health concerns. This study examined the association between food security status (FSS) over the prior 12 month period and anemia (hemoglobin (Hgb)<11.0 g/dL) at 18 (± 3) months (mos)) among low‐income infants participating in MA/WIC (2001‐2009). All infants who were not anemic at 12 months, had Hgb and HH FSS measurements at 18 mos (representing the prior 12 mos) and data on covariates were included. Multivariate logistic regression controlling for child’s gender, race, breastfeeding duration, maternal education, and HH size was used. The sample (n=17,831) was diverse (56% non‐white), 20% lived in food insecure HHs, and 12% had anemia at 18 months. Infants living in HHs reporting low food security were 42% more likely (AOR (95% CI)=1.42 (1.27‐1.60) to have developed anemia by their 18 month visit compared to those living in food secure HHs. Other predictors of anemia risk were race/ethnicity, higher HH size; and < 12 years of maternal education. Low food security appears to affect risk of infancy anemia in this low‐income population. Funding: ERS/USDAGrant Funding Source: ERS/USDA