Food Insecurity and Major Diet-Related Morbidities in Migrating Children: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Children of migrant families are known to be at a higher risk of diet-related morbidities due to complex variables including food insecurity, cultural and religious beliefs, and sociodemographic factors like ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and education. Several studies have assessed the presence of specific diseases related to dietary issues in migrant children. This systematic review aims to highlight the existing body of work on nutritional deficiencies in the specific vulnerable pediatric population of immigrants. Refugees were intentionally excluded because of fundamental differences between the two groups including the reasons for migration and health status at the time of arrival. A total of 29 papers were included and assessed for quality. Most of them described a strong correlation between obesity and migration. A high prevalence of stunting, early childhood caries, iron and vitamin D deficiency was also reported, but the studies were few and heterogeneous. Food insecurity and acculturation were found important social factors (nevertheless with inconclusive results) influencing dietary habits and contributing to the development of morbidities such as obesity and other metabolic disorders, which can cause progressive unsustainability of health systems. Public health screening for diet-related diseases in migrant children may be implemented. Educational programs to improve children’s diet and promote healthy-living behaviors as a form of socioeconomic investment for the health of the new generations may also be considered.

Parents’ Perception of Food Insecurity and of Its Effects on Their Children in Italy Six Months after the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak

“…Furthermore, a renter, a younger, or a less educated person is more likely to be food insecure than their respective counterparts [ 46 ]. Immigrants are well-known to be at a higher risk of FI [ 47 ] and are usually one of the groups where the risk factors for FI that we identified are predominant (household difficult or unsustainable economic situation, more than one child, any worsening of the household economy, families in which the parent considered their means more at risk). Unfortunately, this population subgroup was only included in the present survey in a limited way, and the 3% respondents who were not of Italian origin did not appear to suffer from FI more than those of Italian origin.…”

“…The Italian lockdown strict rules did not allow children to do outdoor activities and go to school, and an increase in screen time was reported [ 55 ], making this period unfavorable for maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviors. Furthermore, weight gain and pediatric obesity are strictly linked to FI among low-income groups [ 47 , 63 ], but it is not clear whether FI is associated with obesity above and beyond the influence of poverty. In fact, in our study weight gain was not significantly higher in those households at risk of FI.…”

“…In fact, in our study weight gain was not significantly higher in those households at risk of FI. Indeed, poverty is strictly related to weight gain, given the availability of high energy, sugary and fatty products, and beverages that are easily purchased at low prices [ 47 ].…”

Model for Taking Care of Patients with Early Childhood Caries during the SARS-Cov-2 Pandemic

“…This becomes more serious when vulnerable classes (physically and economically) are involved. For example, with children belonging to the socio-economically most disadvantaged classes and those with special needs, a reduced provision of dental care (especially public care) leads to a worsening of oral health status more marked than in any other social context where oral diseases are less prevalent [5,6]. This leads to an increase in the degree of inequality related to the right to health protection and equal access to fundamental care [7].…”

Effect of a Preventive Oral Health Program Starting during Pregnancy: A Case-Control Study Comparing Immigrant and Native Women and Their Children

“…The consumption of sweets, cookies, and chocolates an average of 9 times per week is associated with cultural factors such as being an immigrant [ 60 ]. The condition of being an immigrant [ 61 ], race, and ethnicity [ 62 ], are also correlated to obesity.…”