Family policy and food insecurity: an observational analysis in 142 countries

Abstract

Summary Background Levels of child malnutrition and hunger across the world have decreased substantially over the past century, and this has had an important role in reducing mortality and improving health. However, progress has stalled. We examined whether family policies (eg, cash transfers from governments that aim to support households with children) are associated with reduced food insecurity. Methods In this observational analysis, we used a dataset of individual-level data that captured experience-based measures of food insecurity and sociodemographic characteristics collected by the Gallup World Poll in 142 countries for 2014–17. We then combined this dataset with indicators of the type and generosity of family policies in these countries, taken from the University of California, Los Angeles’ World Policy Analysis Center. We used multilevel regression models to examine the association between the presence of family policies for households with children and the probability of reporting moderate or severe food insecurity or severe food insecurity (moderate or severe food insecurity was defined as a “yes” response to at least four of eight questions on the Gallup Food Insecurity Experience Scale, and severe food insecurity was defined as a “yes” response to at least seven questions). We controlled for multiple covariates, including individual-level measures of social position and country-level measures, such as gross domestic product. We further examined whether this association varied by household income level. Findings Using data from 503 713 households, we found that, on average, moderate or severe food insecurity is 4·09 percentage points (95% CI 3·50–4·68) higher in households with at least one child younger than 15 years than in households with no children and severe food insecurity is 2·20 percentage points (1·76–2·63) higher. However, the additional risk of food insecurity among households with children is lower in countries that provide financial support (either means-tested or universal) for families than for countries with little or no financial assistance. These policies not only reduce food insecurity on average, but they also reduce inequalities in food insecurity by benefiting the poorest households most. Interpretation In some countries, family policies have been cut back in the past decade and such retrenchment might expose low-income households to increased risk of food insecurity. By increasing investment in family policies, progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 2, zero hunger, might be accelerated and, in turn, improve health for all. Funding Wellcome Trust.

The prevalence and predictors of household food insecurity among adolescents in Canada

“…It is noteworthy, however, that the greatest reduction in severe food insecurity was observed among low-income families (Brown & Tarasuk, 2019). This is consistent with findings from a large international comparative study showing that more generous cash transfer programs for families with children have the greatest impact on food insecurity among families at the bottom of the income distribution and reduce the most severe forms of food insecurity (Reeves et al, 2021). Yet our results indicate that food insecurity remains a serious problem for Canadian families.…”

“…Household food insecurity, defined as inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints, is a serious public health problem in many high-income countries, including Canada. This problem disproportionately affects families with children (Reeves et al, 2021). Based on the 2018 Canadian Community Health Survey, the most recent nationally representative data available, one in five 12-17 year-olds lived in a household affected by some level of food insecurity, compared to one in ten adults 50-64 years of age and almost one in twenty adults 65 and older (Polsky & Garriguet, 2022).…”

Association between household food insecurity and stunting in children aged 0−59 months: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of cohort studies

“…These social protection measures contribute directly or indirectly to improving the socioeconomic status of families, consequently reducing HFI. Additionally, measures must be implemented that include educating vulnerable groups, such as women and girls, improving access to drinking water, and changing access to maternal and child health care (Durao et al, 2020;Reeves et al, 2021). Brazil's policies for income redistribution and the provision of basic services, including universal access to education, health, water supply, and sanitation services, played a fundamental role in improving child growth indicators from 1996 to 2007, highlighting the need to maintain economic and social policies (Monteiro et al, 2009;Monteiro et al, 2010).…”

Small area vulnerability, household food insecurity and child malnutrition in Medellin, Colombia: results from a repeated cross-sectional study

“…These results are in line with a study conducted in the city of Salvador, Brazil, that found stronger associations of food insecurity in households living in areas with more disadvantaged conditions, 25 and reports from North America finding similar results. 8 , 26 Households with children have been shown to have a higher prevalence of food insecurity 5 , 27 which might make them more vulnerable to their contextual conditions and calls for attention for a closer assessment of this association.…”