Exploring Mediators of Food Insecurity and Obesity: A Review of Recent Literature

Abstract

One in seven American households experience food insecurity at times during the year, lack of money and other resources hinder their ability to maintain consistent access to nutritious foods. Low-income, ethnic minority, and female-headed households exhibit the greatest risk for food insecurity, which often results in higher prevalence of diet-related disease. The food insecurity-obesity paradox is one that researchers have explored to understand the factors that influence food insecurity and its impact on weight change. The aim of this inquiry was to explore new evidence in associations of food insecurity and obesity in youth, adult, and elderly populations. A literature search of publication databases was conducted, using various criteria to identify relevant articles. Among 65 results, 19 studies conducted since 2005 were selected for review. Overall, the review confirmed that food insecurity and obesity continue to be strongly and positively associated in women. Growing evidence of this association was found in adolescents; but among children, results remain mixed. Few studies supported a linear relationship between food insecurity and weight outcomes, as suggested by an earlier review. New mediators were revealed (gender, marital status, stressors, and food stamp participation) that alter the association; in fact, newer studies suggest that food stamp participation may exacerbate obesity outcomes. Continued examination through longitudinal studies, development of tools to distinguish acute and chronic food insecurity, and greater inclusion of food security measurement tools in regional and local studies are warranted.

Prevalence of food insecurity among military households with children 5 years of age and younger

“…Food insecurity is evident in this population and our results are likely to underestimate food insecurity for the overall military population for the reasons described above, indicating a need for a wider evaluation in a military population. Despite this, our results can be useful for Congress, policy makers, military commanders and health-care providers because food insecurity can be detrimental to the readiness and resiliency of the force since it has been associated with chronic disease, depression, poor diet quality and weight status (16,24,26,27,(51)(52)(53)(54) .…”

‘It’s just so much waste.’ A qualitative investigation of food waste in a universal free School Breakfast Program

“…Food waste in these programmes undermines such goals by increasing children's short-and long-term risk of food insecurity, hunger and/or nutrient deficiencies (8) . Food insecurity is associated with poor diet quality and increased risk for obesity (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) . Recognizing these perils and the resource constraints schools face in addressing food waste, the US Department of Agriculture and US Environmental Protection Agency launched the US Food Waste Challenge in 2013, specifying school meal programme food waste reduction as one of the five campaign priorities (15) .…”

Evaluation of a cooking skills programme in parents of young children – a longitudinal study

“…Prevention of chronic disease should start early in life (5)(6)(7)(8) . Low income and socio-economic deprivation have been associated with poorer dietary intakes (9)(10)(11)(12) and therefore with increased risk for chronic disease (13) . Those living in deprivation are more likely to lack nutritional knowledge and cooking skills (14) .…”