Is Food Access Associated With Prevalence of Preterm Birth? [19K]

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Low food access has been associated with an increased risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease, but little is known if food access increases the likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to determine if living in an area of low food access is associated with an increased prevalence of preterm birth in Florida. METHODS: We linked, at the census tract level, data on food access from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Access Research Atlas to pregnancy outcome data from the Florida Community Health Assessment Research Tool Set. We defined a census tract as “low access to healthy food” if the tract was both low income and a significant number (≥500) or proportion (33%) of the population lives more than 1 mile (urban areas) or 10 miles (rural areas) from the nearest supermarket. Prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using modified Poisson regression models. RESULTS: We analyzed 2,368,114 births in the state of Florida from 2008-2018 with nonmissing gestational age and food access designation. The preterm birth rate was 10.9% and 10.1% in areas with and without low food access, respectively. We calculated a prevalence ratio of 1.04 (95% CI 1.03–1.05) for the association between preterm birth and low food access after adjustment for maternal race/ethnicity. CONCLUSION: Living in an area of low food access was associated with a slight increase in prevalence of preterm birth in Florida. Food access and other measures of neighborhood deprivation may play a role in the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes.

Association between food environments and fetal growth in pregnant Brazilian women

“…The association between food environments and fetal growth is a controversial issue. However, our study’s results align with the literature that considers that these environments may reinforce the effects of a poor diet, compromising perinatal and neonatal outcomes 13,22,24–27 . A similar study conducted by Sawangkum et al (2020) revealed that women who lived in desert zones were associated with LBW newborns, and following s 24 .…”

“…A similar study conducted by Sawangkum et al (2020) revealed that women who lived in desert zones were associated with LBW newborns, and following s 24 . Limited access to food was associated with a SGA birth, following adjustment for maternal race/ethnicity 13 . Saeed and contributors in a study which aimed to evaluate the effect of maternal food insecurity on birth weight also demonstrated that women experiencing food insecurity had a greater risk of giving birth to a low weight newborn 26 .…”

“…The gain of excessive gestational weight and the presence of metabolic comorbidities is one of the maternal factors associated with the birth of LGA babies, while insufficient gestational weight gain is associated with the birth of SGA babies 9,10 . Birth weight is described as the main determinant of the chances of newborns' survival, and has been significantly associated with various factors, such as the mother's level of education, the number of prenatal appointments, ethnicity/race, and maternal weight during pregnancy 11,12 , including food deserts 13 .…”

Association between food environments and fetal growth in pregnant Brazilian women

“…The present study addresses the relationship between the food environment and fetal growth, which is still a controversial topic. However, the results presented support the existing literature, which indicates that these environments can amplify the effects of an inadequate diet, compromising perinatal and neonatal outcomes [ 16 , 28 , 30 – 33 ]. A similar study conducted by Sawangkum et al (2020) revealed that women living in desert areas with poor food access were associated with newborns with low birth weight.…”

“…Excessive gestational weight gain and the presence of metabolic comorbidities are among the maternal factors associated with the birth of LGA babies, while insufficient gestational weight gain is associated with the birth of SGA babies [ 12 , 13 ]. Birth weight is a major determinant of newborn survival and has been significantly associated with various factors, such as the mother's level of education, the number of prenatal appointments, ethnicity/race, maternal weight during pregnancy [ 14 , 15 ], and the presence of food [ 14 , 16 ]The impact of food environment on public health, specifically on the association between these enviroment and the birth of SGA, LGA, and LBW babies, is a vital aspect that needs to be understood [ 17 ] Therefore, this study seeks to explore the association between the food environment and these outcomes.…”