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Food Insecurity and Child Development: A State-of-the-Art Review

Author

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  • Danielle Gallegos

    (School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
    Woolworths Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research, Queensland University of Technology, South Brisbane, QLD 4151, Australia)

  • Areana Eivers

    (School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia)

  • Peter Sondergeld

    (Library Services, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia)

  • Cassandra Pattinson

    (Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR), The University of Queensland, Indooroopilly, QLD 4068, Australia
    Research Fellow with the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course.)

Abstract

Converging research indicates that household food insecurity impedes children from reaching their full physical, cognitive, and psychosocial potential. This state-of-the-art review examines the last decade of research to: (1) describe the impact of the severity and persistence of food insecurity on child development; (2) use a socio-ecological framework to examine significant proximal and distal factors which may interplay; and (3) outline directions for future research. We conducted a systematic review of six databases of published papers from 2011 to June 2021. The search was limited to high-income countries and children aged from birth to 12 years. From 17,457 papers, 17 studies were included in the final review. Transitioning between food security and food insecurity had a significant and lasting effect on academic/cognitive function and behavior (i.e., externalizing), however less clear relationships were seen for psychosocial outcomes and other behaviors examined (i.e., internalizing). There was significant variation in the measurement and thresholds used to define both food insecurity and child development outcomes. Subsequently, comparisons across studies are difficult. Several future recommendations, including incorporation of socio-ecological factors, is provided. In conclusion, this review supports the link between food insecurity and sub-optimal child development; however, there is an imperative to improve and extend current understanding to ameliorate the causes of food insecurity.

Suggested Citation

  • Danielle Gallegos & Areana Eivers & Peter Sondergeld & Cassandra Pattinson, 2021. "Food Insecurity and Child Development: A State-of-the-Art Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:8990-:d:622393
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    References listed on IDEAS

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