Abstract Importance: Severe obesity in childhood is associated with negative health consequences. A previous study examined trends in severe obesity among preschool-aged children in low-income families during 1998 to 2010. […]
This study examines the relationship among WIC participation, family stressors, and health risks. researchers found that participating in the WIC Program attenuated, but did not eliminate, child health risks associated with family stressors.
The researchers examines associations between WIC participation and indicators of underweight, overweight, length, caregiver-perceived health, and household food security among infants ages 12 months or younger, at six urban hospitals and clinics. Results showed that of the eligible families not receiving WIC assistance, 64% reported access problems, and 36% denied a need for WIC. Families who were not receiving WIC because of access problems were more likely to have underweight infants and experience food insecurity.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether household food insecurity was associated with adverse health outcomes in a sentinel population ages 36 months or younger. The study showed that compared with food-secure children, food-insecure children's odds of fair or poor; health were nearly twice as high, and their odds of being hospitalized since birth were almost a third higher. Effect modification occurred between Food Stamps and food insecurity; Food Stamps attenuated, but did not eliminate, associations between food insecurity and fair/poor health.
