Food Security Scale Research Articles

Comparing Trends Between Food Insecurity and Cigarette Smoking Among Adults in the United States, 1998 to 2011.

Previous studies have shown that cigarette smoking is associated with higher rates and severity of food insecurity but do not address how population-level smoking rates change in response to changes in food security. Trend analysis of serial cross-sectional data. Data from a representative survey of US households. Adults within households participating in both the Food Security Supplement and Tobacco Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey during 5 overlapping administrations from 1998 to 2011. A "current smoker" is defined as someone who indicated that they currently smoke on "some days" or "every day." A household's food security is coded as "secure" or "insecure," according to responses to a food security scale, interpreted using a US Department of Agriculture standard. Descriptive comparison of the roughly triennial trends in the prevalence of food insecurity and current smoking from 1998 to 2011. The prevalence of food insecurity increased by 30% among adults overall versus 54% among current smokers, with most of the changes occurring following the economic recession of 2008 and 2009. Over this same period, the prevalence of current smoking declined by 33% among food-secure adults and only 14% among food-insecure adults. Food insecurity increased more markedly among adult smokers than nonsmokers, and the prevalence of smoking declined more slowly in food-insecure households, indicating that more low-income smokers are facing hunger, which may at least partly be due to buying cigarettes.

Association between Food Insecurity and Procurement Methods among People Living with HIV in a High Resource Setting.

ObjectivePeople living with HIV in high-resource settings suffer severe levels of food insecurity; however, limited evidence exists regarding dietary intake and sub-components that characterize food insecurity (i.e. food quantity, quality, safety or procurement) in this population. We examined the prevalence and characteristics of food insecurity among people living with HIV across British Columbia, Canada.DesignThis cross-sectional analysis was conducted within a national community-based research initiative.MethodsFood security was measured using the Health Canada Household Food Security Scale Module. Logistic regression was used to determine key independent predictors of food insecurity, controlling for potential confounders.ResultsOf 262 participants, 192 (73%) reported food insecurity. Sub-components associated with food insecurity in bivariate analysis included: < RDI consumption of protein (p = 0.046); being sick from spoiled/unsafe food in the past six months (p = 0.010); and procurement of food using non-traditional methods (p <0.05). In multivariable analyses, factors significantly associated with food insecurity included: procurement of food using non-traditional methods [AOR = 11.11, 95% CI: 4.79–25.68, p = <0.001]; younger age [AOR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86–0.96, p = <0.001]; unstable housing [AOR = 4.46, 95% CI: 1.15–17.36, p = 0.031]; household gross annual income [AOR = 4.49, 95% CI: 1.74–11.60, p = 0.002]; and symptoms of depression [AOR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.25–5.96, p = 0.012].ConclusionsFood insecurity among people living with HIV in British Columbia is characterized by poor dietary quality and food procurement methods. Notably, participants who reported procuring in non-traditional manners were over 10 times more likely to be food insecure. These findings suggest a need for tailored food security and social support interventions in this setting.

Experiential Household Food Insecurity in an Urban Underserved Slum of North India

One-third of India’s urban population resides in extreme poverty, in slums and squatters. Food insecurity remains a visible reality among this segment. Yet, it is scarcely documented.This paper describes levels and determinants of experiential household food insecurity (HFI) in an underserved urban slum of Delhi (India) and reports the internal validity and reliability of the measure used to assess experiential HFI. A four item scale was adapted from the U.S. six-item short form food security scale and was administered in Hindi through household interviews with 410 female adults. Association of HFI with household economic and sociodemographic characteristics were examined using multiple logistic regression. Cronbach’s alpha and Rasch model-based item fit statistics were used to assess reliability and internal validity. Fifty-one percent of households were food insecure. Significant HFI predictors were unemployed to employed family members’ ratio of >3:1 (Odds Ratio 2.1, Confidence Interval 1.2-3.4) and low household standard of living (OR 4.9, C.I. 2.7-8.9).Cronbach’s alpha was 0.8. Item severities as estimated under Rasch model assumptions spanned 9.7 logits. Item infit statistics (0.77-1.07) indicated that the Rasch model fit the data well. Item outfit statistics suggested that one item was inconsistently understood by a small proportion of respondents. Extent of household food insecurity Two-thirds (65.8%) of households reported that they sometimes or often could not afford to eat balanced meals in the 12 months preceding the survey. Similarly, 51.7% households sometimes or often faced the problem of ‘food not lasting for the purchased period and having no money at hand to buy more food’. ‘Cutting size of meals or skipping meals’ was sometimes or often faced by 23.9% households. Few (14.7%) households ever faced a condition wherein ‘one or more family members were hungry but family could not afford to buy food’. A total of 135 households (32.9%) never faced any of the above 4 conditions. Overall, 51% households were ‘food-insecure’ (27.1% food-insecure without hunger and 23.9% and food-insecure with hunger). The remaining (49%) households were ‘food-secure’. Factors that emerged as determinants of household insecurity included i) illiteracy level of head of household, ii) family size of 7 or more, iii) high unemployment of family members, iv) low food spending - families whose MPCE on food was reported less than INR 580 were more likely to be food insecure.For improving HFI among the urban poor, in addition to improving behaviors/entitlement access, programs should consider linkage of urban poor to existing employment schemes, upgrading of their skills and linkage to potential employers. The adapted scale was reliable and easy to administer. However, being a subjective assessment, its sensitivity to social expectation and its association with nutrition security require examination.

ASSOCIATION OF HOUSEHOLD FOOD INSECURITY, NUTRITIONAL STATUS, ENERGY AND NUTRIENTS INTAKE IN FEMALE‐HEADED HOUSEHOLDS FROM CULIACAN, SINALOA, MEXICO

Food insecurity is a problem that affects a large number of female‐headed households. Balanced diet is a key factor for good health and inadequate intake of calories and macronutrients significantly contributes to malnutrition, nutritional deficiencies, obesity and related chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between food insecurity level (FIL), nutritional status and energy and macronutrients intake in female‐headed households from Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico. From a 2400 poor female‐headed household population that receives food assistance, 319 were randomly selected to make a representative sample. FIL was measured using the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA). Nutritional status by the World Health Organization criteria using the BMI as reference and the energy and macronutrient consumption by a 24‐hour dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire. Our results demonstrated that 96.5% of the women had some degree of food insecurity (41.08%, 35.03% and 19.75% has mild, moderate and severe FIL respectively). 50.7% were overweight, 32.2% obese, 16.56% normal weight and none of them were underweight. There was no relationship between FIL and waist circumference, but it was a positive association between FIL and waist‐hip‐ratio (p=0.016), which is well known to be associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases. Energy intake was 60% more than RDA. Carbohydrates, proteins and lipids consumption were higher than the RDA (31, 20 and 140% respectably). Female headed households with FIL showed some parameters associated with malnutrition and that could be a risk factor to develop metabolic diseases.

Determinants of household food insecurity in Mexico

Using a national household survey and a newly established food security scale, socio-demographic factors affecting the level of household food insecurity in Mexico were identified. Households more likely to be food insecure include those with younger, less-educated household heads, headed by single, widowed or divorced women, with disabled household members, with native language speakers, with children, as well as rural and lower-income households. The model was also estimated for the rural and lower-income subpopulation, finding that low levels of education, native language speakers, and number of kids are factors associated with higher levels of food insecurity.

La inseguridad alimentaria en el estado de Nayarit, México, y su asociación con factores socioeconómicos

Objetive: To estimate the proportion of households with food insecurity (FI) in twenty municipalities in the state of Nayarit, Mexico, and to identify the factors that determine it. FI was estimated using the harmonized version for Mexico of the Latin American and Caribbean household food security scale (ELCSA). Households were classified according to FI level: mild, moderate and severe. The distribution of FI was described by type of locality and prevalence of FI was analyzed by associated variables. 76.2% of households were identified with some FI level.The prevalence of FI was higher in rural households. Food insecurity situation was focused on households with the highest number of children under five years, highest number of older than 64 years, highest number of household members, female headship and less schooling of the household head. ELCSA can be useful to associate FI with socioeconomic factors.

Household Food Insecurity and Mental Health Problems Among Adolescents: What Do Parents Report?

ObjectiveTo investigate whether adolescents living in households with food insecurity have poorer parent-reported mental health (MH) than peers. MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data from ∼8600 adolescents who participated in the 2007 (8th grade) wave of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten. Household food insecurity (HFI) was assessed by parental report on the 18-item US Household Food Security Scale. Total Difficulties score >13 on the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) indicated problems with adolescent MH. SDQ subscale scores (Emotional, Conduct, Hyperactivity, Peer Problems) were also calculated. Associations between HFI and MH were explored in bivariate and multivariable analyses. Interactions of HFI and gender and HFI and receipt of free/reduced-price school lunch were analyzed with regard to problems with MH. ResultsA total of 10.2% of adolescents lived with HFI; 11.2% had SDQ >13. Adolescents with HFI had higher rates of overall MH problems (28.7% vs 9.2%), emotional problems (21.6% vs 6.6%), conduct problems (26.5% vs 11.6%), hyperactivity (22.4% vs 11.3%), and peer problems (19.8% vs 8.6%) (all P < .01). After adjustment for confounders, the association between HFI and overall MH problems (odds ratio 2.3; 95% confidence interval 1.6–3.3) remained. Interactions of HFI and gender and HFI and free/reduced-price school lunch were not significant. ConclusionsHFI was associated with increased risk of parent-reported MH problems among both male and female adolescents. Free/reduced-price school lunch did not significantly alter this relationship. Effective interventions to promote MH and reduce HFI among adolescents are necessary.

Insegurança alimentar entre adolescentes brasileiros: um estudo de validação da Escala Curta de Insegurança Alimentar

Objetivo Os objetivos do trabalho foram avaliar a validade interna e a capacidade preditiva da escala de segurança alimentar de seis itens aplicada a adolescentes. Métodos Foi um estudo transversal com amostra representativa de adolescentes brasileiros (N=14.690), realizado em escolas públicas e privadas nas 26 capitais de estados brasileiros e no Distrito Federal por meio de questionário online. Resultados A maior parte dos respondentes era do sexo feminino (53,2%), com idade média de 14,4 anos, sendo 72,7% de escolas públicas. O comportamento da escala, observado pelo modelo de Rasch, foi melhor sem o item cinco, apresentando valores ótimos de Infit e nível de severidade crescente entre os itens. O alfa de Cronbach foi 0,77, e as análises do funcionamento diferencial dos itens mostraram comportamento dos itens semelhante entre os subgrupos avaliados. A análise fatorial mostrou a unidimensionalidade do instrumento. Conclusão Foi proposta a retirada do item cinco e novos pontos de corte para a escala curta de segurança alimentar. A escala curta de segurança alimentar é válida e confiável para mensurar insegurança alimentar domiciliar entre adolescentes brasileiros.

Inseguridad alimentaria y estado de nutrición en menores de cinco años de edad en México

Objetivo. Estudiar la relación entre la desnutrición infantil y la inseguridad alimentaria (IA) en una muestra de hogares con preescolares en México. Material y métodos. Se analizó la información de 10 513 preescolares y sus familias. Se midió la IA de los hogares con la Escala Latinoamericana y Caribeña de Seguridad Alimentaria (ELCSA). Se describen prevalencias de IA y desnutrición con variables asociadas y modelos logísticos. Resultados. 31% de los hogares presentaron IA moderada y severa. Los hogares rurales, del sur, los Q1 y Q2 y los indígenas presentaron las mayores prevalencias de IA moderada y severa. Se observa una tendencia de mayores prevalencias de desnutrición en el grupo con IA severa; las prevalencias de sobrepeso son similares en los cuatro grupos de IA. Conclusiones. El riesgo de desnutrición crónica es 42% mayor en menores de cinco años de hogares con IA severa en relación con los que viven en situación de seguridadalimentaria.

Citizen perception of food insecurity in the city of Santa Fe

The aim of this research study was to describe the perceived level of food security in the households of the city of Santa Fe, Argentina, in 2011. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed, incorporating 592 homes included in the Panel of Households of the Social Observatory of the Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Households were characterized sociodemographically and classified according to the level of food security by applying the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale. Association with sociodemographical factors was determined by odds ratios and logistic regression. It was found that 31.5% of households in Santa Fe show food insecurity: 21.7% is mild, 7.4% is moderate and 2.4% is severe, and insecurity is greater when children live in the household. Food insecurity is positively associated with lack of health coverage, lack of economic activity, inability to save, incomplete secondary level education and four or more people living in the household.

Unemployment and household food hardship in the economic recession.

The present study examined the association between unemployment and household food insecurity during the 2007-2009 economic recession in the USA. Longitudinal survey of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP; 2008-2011). Food insecurity was measured by five questions excerpted from an eighteen-item Food Security Scale. Unemployment was measured by a dichotomous indicator, the number of job losses and the total duration of all episodes in the observation period. As nationally representative data, the SIPP interviewed respondents in multiple waves with a time interval of four months. The study created two analytic samples including working-age household heads employed at the beginning of the observation period. The size of the two samples was 14,417 and 13,080. Unemployment was positively associated with food insecurity (OR=1.55; 95% CI 1.32, 1.83; P<0.001). Similar results were obtained when the analysis controlled for food insecurity status measured before unemployment (OR=1.54; 95% CI 1.27, 1.88; P<0.001). For households with the same duration of unemployment, one more episode of unemployment increased the odds of food insecurity by 8% (OR=1.08; 95% CI 1.00, 1.18; P<0.001). More in-depth understanding of the relationship between unemployment and food insecurity is useful to better identify and serve the at-risk population. Connecting unemployment assistance closely to nutrition assistance could lower the prevalence of food insecurity among unemployed households. Public policy should better account for both episodes and duration of unemployment to reduce food insecurity.

Citizen perception of food insecurity in the city of Santa Fe

The aim of this research study was to describe the perceived level of food security in the households of the city of Santa Fe, Argentina, in 2011. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed, incorporating 592 homes included in the Panel of Households of the Social Observatory of the Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Households were characterized sociodemographically and classified according to the level of food security by applying the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale. Association with sociodemographical factors was determined by odds ratios and logistic regression. It was found that 31.5% of households in Santa Fe show food insecurity: 21.7% is mild, 7.4% is moderate and 2.4% is severe, and insecurity is greater when children live in the household. Food insecurity is positively associated with lack of health coverage, lack of economic activity, inability to save, incomplete secondary level education and four or more people living in the household.

Household Food Insecurity and Children's Behaviour Problems: New Evidence from a Trajectories-Based Study.

This study examined the association between household food insecurity (insufficient access to adequate and nutritious food) and trajectories of externalising and internalising behaviour problems in children from kindergarten to fifth grade using longitudinal data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K), a nationally representative study in the USA. Household food insecurity was assessed using the eighteen-item standard food security scale, and children's behaviour problems were reported by teachers. Latent growth curve analysis was conducted on 7,348 children in the ECLS-K, separately for boys and girls. Following adjustment for an extensive array of confounding variables, results suggest that food insecurity generally was not associated with developmental change in children's behaviour problems. The impact of food insecurity on behaviour problems may be episodic or interact with certain developmental stages.

Socioeconomic Characteristics of Food Insecure Households in San Pedro, Paraguay

A study in San Pedro Paraguay applied an experience‐based food security (FS) scale (Escala Latinoamericana y Caribeña de Seguridad Alimentaria ‐ ELCSA), classifying 598 households (HH) in the national FS plan PLANAL into 4 groups: food secure (fsHH – 14%), mildly (53%), moderately (21%), and severely (12%) food insecure (fiHH). This study aimed to determine the socioeconomic characteristics of fiHH. The sample was randomly selected, and is representative of PLANAL HH in San Pedro. The internal validity of ELCSA was assessed using Rasch modelling. The relative severity of the scale items reflected the theoretical framework of ELCSA. Most of the items (14) showed acceptable INFIT values (0.7 ‐ 1.3). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.94. In contrast with fsHH, and with increasing severity of FI, fiHH had less access to health insurance and lower per capita income. Additionally, the proportion of single‐headed HH and of HH speaking only Guaraní language, the rates of illiteracy and poverty, as well as the inability to satisfy basic needs increased with the severity of FI. Finally, fiHH showed a higher rate of stunted children, and reported consuming a lower number of food items, particularly animal‐source foods. Multivariate statistical models confirmed the association of FI with the variables described above. This study contributes to a better understanding of the situation of fiHH in Paraguay, providing policy makers and practitioners with valuable information on how to better address FI. Furthermore, it shows the importance of experience‐based‐scales for targeting fiHH, and its relevance for the national evaluation and monitoring system in Paraguay.

Resilience factors for food and nutrition security in Guatemalan communities

ObjectiveThe interaction of poverty and climate‐related crisis, along with socio‐ecological determinants of poor nutrition, could become major factors negatively affecting food and nutrition security (FNS). Therefore, it is important to identify resilience factors to enrich FNS. This study aimed at the identification of resilience factors (RF) as contributors to food and nutrition security in 3 communities from the municipality of Santa Catarina Mita, Department of Jutiapa, Guatemala.Methods: We assessed food and nutrition security with direct interviews, with a food security (FS) scale and with anthropometry in 184 families from the communities of La Barranca, El Quebracho y La Javia, from the southern department of Jutiapa.Results: A total of 590 subjects, mean age of 31y with 0‐99y as range, were recruited from the selected households (hholds). FS was present in 24% of hholds. RF associated with less vs. more malnutrition in preschool age children included hholds with cement floor, using a sewer system, availability of rice, eggs and leafy leaves and head of hhold not working in agriculture. For mothers, RF for less vs. more overweight and obesity included education, not buying sweet drinks, drinking water from the public system and head of hholds growing corn and beans as cash crops.ConclusionsOnly one‐quarter of families evaluated were food secure. Contrasting them against those food insecure, we identified resilience factors to avoid malnutrition in preschoolers and to control overweight/obesity among mothers. The identification of RF for sustainable FNS and for promoting health could contribute to solutions for the socio‐economic development of rural communities.

Household Food Insecurity is Associated with Obesity in Mexican Children

Food insecurity has been found to be prevalent in obese individuals in different populations, but the information has been inconsistent. The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to assess the association between household food insecurity and mother's food insecurity during her childhood with the presence of obesity in school‐aged children living in a rural community of Queretaro, Mexico. Weight, height and body composition (DEXA) were measured in 300 children (8.4 y ±1.5). Food insecurity was measured with a modified 17‐item version of the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA) and a 6‐item maternal past food insecurity scale. Prevalence and OR from a multinomial regression model were estimated. Overall, 60% of the children lived in a household with some degree of food insecurity and 90% of the mothers had past food insecurity during her childhood. Prevalence of severe food insecurity was significantly higher in children with obesity (20%), compared with children with overweight (6%) or normal weight (5%) (p&lt;0.05). Children with food insecurity were four times more at risk of obesity than secure children (p&lt;0.05). In this population, no association was found between maternal past food insecurity and childhood obesity (p=0.930). In conclusion, household food insecurity, but not mother's past food insecurity, is associated with obesity in Mexican children. This study contributes to a better understanding of the impact food insecurity might have in the health and nutritional status of children, which is essential for policy makers and program designers attending vulnerable populations.

Food Insecurity Leads to Lower Dietary Diversity Among Smallholder Farmers in Haiti

Food insecurity (FI) (mild to severe) is highly prevalent amongst smallholder farmers in Haiti. This study is based on 500 surveys nationally distributed where FI was measured using the Latin American and Caribbean Household Food Security Scale which categorizes the households (HH) in food secure (FS=2.6%), mildly (7.2%), moderately (28.3%) and severely (62.0%) FI. Dietary Diversity Scores (DDS) were generated using the FAO's Household Dietary Diversity Index Guidelines. Results show that the DDS decreased significantly from mild (11.0) to moderate (10.0) to severe (9.4) FI levels, after controlling for number of children, gender of head of HH, daily per capita income, education, number of animals and land size. Furthermore, the number of total food items consumed decreased significantly from the mildly (34.3) to the moderately (25.9) and severely (22.5) FI households after controlling for the same variables. The decrease affected staple foods, eggs, dairy, meat/fish, fruits and vegetables. Sugar consumption remained the same in all groups. When compared to all foods consumed, the proportion of animal source foods decreased from FS HH (18.6%) to severely FI HH (11.6%) while the proportion of sugars and oils increased from FS HH (14.0%) to severely FI HH (18.6%). These results show that more severe FI in a HH, the lower the dietary diversity, as well as the intake of nutrient dense foods. Dietary diversity has been shown to imply nutrient adequacy and when compromised, results in poor health status. Furthermore, higher intakes of low nutrient dense foods like sugars and oils imply a need for appropriate interventions to improve access to a greater variety of nutrient dense foods in all FI groups.

Shelter Expenditures Increase Vulnerability to Household Food Insecurity

ObjectiveIncome is a strong predictor of food insecurity, but the income necessary for food security is a function of household expenditures. The objective of this study is to characterize the relationship between income, shelter expenditures and food insecurity in Canada.MethodsData from Canada's 2010 Survey of Household Spending were converted into budget shares (expenditure‐to‐income ratio) for food, utilities and housing (rent or mortgage). Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between budget shares and food insecurity, defined as any affirmative response to the 10‐item adult food security scale. Among food insecure renters, linear regression was used to test the association between budget shares and severity of food insecurity, defined by a raw score of 1 to 10. All models were adjusted for sociodemographic factors.ResultsRenters were 3 times more likely to be food insecure than homeowners. Having a mortgage doubled the odds of food insecurity for homeowners. For every 1% increase in the proportion of income allocated to utilities, the odds of food insecurity increased by 5.2% for renters and 6.6% for homeowners. The odds of food insecurity also rose with the budget share for rent among renters and with the budget shares for mortgage and food among homeowners, but these effects were much weaker. Among food insecure renters, a 1% increase in the proportion of income allocated to utilities and rent increased the food insecurity raw score by 3.9 and 1.2 points, respectively; food budget share did not affect severity of food insecurity.ConclusionSmall increments in shelter expenditures, particularly utilities expenses, appear to contribute substantially to the risk of household food insecurity and to severity of food insecurity. Funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (115208).

Design of Pilot Scale for Measuring the Security of Access to Water in Guanajuato, Mexico

IntroductionFood security is the state in which all persons have always access to the food needed to meet their dietary requirements, but food security cannot be achieved without considering the access to water (water security – WS). Considered a human right, water must meet the following criteria: sufficient, safe, acceptable, available, and accessible (FAO, 2002).ObjectiveTo identify the state of food security and access to water in Mexican households.MethodsWater security was assessed using a pilot scale. The scale was applied as part of a survey in 458 households, containing also an experience‐based food security scale (Escala Latinoamericana y Caribeña de Seguridad Alimentaria).ResultsThe water security scale contains 17 items addressing four domains concerning water: one for sufficiency, six for safety, one for acceptability, four for availability and five for access, concerning costs and physical access (FAO, 2002).ConclusionsWater Security is a human right, internationally recognized. The proposed scale represents an instrument that allows assessing issues related to the lack of appropriate access to water.

Prenatal food insecurity: how is it related to pregnancy and birth outcomes among low‐income women

The objectives were 1) To assess the occurrence/severity of food insecurity; and 2) Examine total weight gain, birth weight, and associations with prenatal food insecurity among low‐income pregnant women.Women meeting the following criteria: 1) receiving WIC, 2) 蠅 18 years, and 3) in 2nd trimester, were recruited.Women were interviewed at the WIC clinic to collect socio‐demographic data, food security status and pre‐pregnancy BMI. Food security was measured using USDA Food Security scale. Upon delivery, review of pre/post natal records was conducted to collect maternal weight gain, gestational age and birth weight of infants.In total, 198 pregnant women were recruited. On average participant's monthly income was $576. Half of participants were African American, 21% white and remaining were Hispanic and other origins. Low/very low food security was reported by 51%. A majority of participants (63%) had pre‐pregnancy BMIs in overweight/obese categories. Depression during pregnancy was significantly higher among participants experiencing low/very low food security (p = 0.02). Of the 60 women who delivered babies, only 27% met the IOM recommendations for pregnancy weight gain. Almost 1/3 of newborns had non‐normal birth‐weight (&lt;5.8 lb or &gt;8.0 lb). Though not significant, an overweight/obese pre‐pregnancy BMI was more common among food secure/marginally secure women.In conclusion, food insecurity appears to be common among low‐income women. They may also be at higher risk of poor pregnancy outcomes as this sample indicates that they are gaining above IOM recommendations and starting pregnancy with higher BMIs. This highlights a need to further examine the role prenatal food insecurity plays in predicting pediatric obesity by mediating weight gain and birth weight. Funded by: NCATS‐NIH, grant #1UL1TR001111.