The association of food insecurity on body mass index change in a pediatric weight management intervention

Abstract

Background

Childhood obesity is a critical public health concern. One potential determinant to obesity that is less understood is food insecurity.

Objective

To examine the association of food security status on body mass index (BMI) change in a Pediatric Weight Management Intervention (PWMI) consistent with national treatment recommendations.

Methods

This analysis included 201 participants from the Healthy Weight Clinic (HWC). Using linear mixed models, we compared BMI and %BMIp₉₅ change per year between the food insecure group and food secure group, adjusting for baseline BMI, age and sex, and SNAP enrolment.

Results

In fully adjusted models, children in households with food insecurity had a 0.50 (0.26–0.74) kg/m² BMI increase per year and a 2.10 (1.02–3.19) %BMIp₉₅ increase per year compared to households that were food secure.

Conclusions

When comparing the BMI effect of the HWC between the food insecure group and food secure group, those experiencing food insecurity in the HWC had an increase in BMI compared to those with food security. These findings suggest that food insecurity may reduce the effectiveness of PWMIs consistent with national recommendations; however, more studies should be conducted to better understand this relationship.