The Association Between Food Insecurity, Parental Stress, and Child Development.

Background and objectives: It is recognized that development in the 0-to-5-year period is predictive of lifelong health and well-being and that early childhood development is influenced by parental mental health. Social stressors such as food insecurity can exacerbate parental mental health issues.

Methods: To improve understanding of this complex interplay, a primary care pediatric practice designed an innovative meal and grocery delivery program for families experiencing food insecurity with at least one child aged 0-5 years. As part of the program, food insecurity, parental mental health, and child development were assessed.

Results: Food insecurity was found to be correlated with increased stress in the parent-child system, and increased stress was found to be strongly correlated with delays in early childhood developmental progress.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that changes in the parent-child relationship resulting from increased parental stress due to food insecurity can play a role in influencing early childhood development.