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Food Insecurity and the Risk of Undernutrition Complications Among Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Publisher Pubmed



Moradi S1 ; Mirzababaei A2 ; Mohammadi H3 ; Moosavian SP4 ; Arab A5 ; Jannat B6 ; Mirzaei K2
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Students Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  6. 6. Halal Research Center of IRI, FDA, Tehran, Iran

Source: Nutrition Published:2019


Abstract

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to examine the association between household food insecurity and the risk of being underweight, stunting, and wasting in children and adolescents. Methods: Pertinent studies were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases up to June 2018. A total of 21 studies met the inclusion criteria to be included in the pooled analysis. The risk ratio of 55 173 individuals from 12 different countries were pooled in these studies for our meta-analysis. Results: It was found that food insecurity increased the risk of stunting (odds ratio [OR] = 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–1.25) and underweight (OR = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.01–1.36) but not of wasting (OR = 1.04; 95% CI: 0.96–1.12). Subgroup analysis by age indicated that food insecurity increased the risk of stunting (OR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.02–1.39) and underweight (OR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.02–1.77) in children older than 5 y. This association was significant just for stunting risk (OR = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.05–1.23) in children younger than 5 y. Furthermore, among children and adolescents, risk of stunting or being underweight increased by the intensification of the level of food insecurity in food-insecure households. Furthermore, subgroup analysis by country development levels showed that children and adolescents living in developing countries had higher risk of stunting (OR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.05–1.27). Conclusions: Household food insecurity appears to be associated with higher risk of stunting and being underweight among children and adolescents. In addition, the intensification of the level of food insecurity and the increased age of children may increase the risk of stunting or being underweight in food-insecure households. Also, the level of economic development is an important factor in the effects of food insecurity on risk of stunting. © 2019 Elsevier Inc.
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