toddler Nutrition Linked to Household Food Security, New Study Reveals
A recent study from Washington state University (WSU) highlights a concerning connection between household food insecurity and the diet quality of toddlers aged 12-23 months. Published recently, the research demonstrates that young children are demonstrably affected by food shortages within their homes, reinforcing the critical importance of nutrition during early life.
Assistant Professor Namrata Sanjeevi, PhD, who lead the study as an early career investigator, initially anticipated toddlers might be buffered from the impacts of food insecurity. “I had imagined that toddlers might be shielded from food insecurity, but that did not seem to be the case,” she stated.
The study is among the first to specifically examine this relationship. In 2023, approximately 18% of U.S. households with children experienced food insecurity – defined as a lack of consistent access to adequate food for all household members, according to the USDA.
Researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, focusing on 708 children. They assessed dietary intake and household food security status, measuring diet quality using the Healthy Eating Index-Toddlers 2020 (HEI-Toddlers-2020). This tool, recently developed, allows for evaluation of toddler diets against current federal dietary guidelines – a capability lacking in previous versions of the Healthy Eating Index.
The analysis revealed that toddlers in food-insecure households scored significantly lower on the HEI-Toddlers-2020 compared to those in food-secure households. This disparity was especially noticeable in the consumption of whole fruits and whole grains, both considered vital for early childhood growth.
“In addition to serving as the foundation for future dietary behaviors, early childhood nutrition could influence growth, cognitive, and metabolic outcomes,” explained Sanjeevi, emphasizing the significance of the findings.
Interestingly, the study also found that even toddlers in food-secure households exhibited low scores for certain food groups, including whole grains and greens and beans, suggesting broader challenges in toddler nutrition exist across all socioeconomic levels.
While the study didn’t focus on interventions, the authors advocate for addressing systemic factors impacting diet quality. Sanjeevi suggested increased access to nutrition assistance programs and resources could alleviate food insecurity and improve health outcomes. She also highlighted the potential of increased food insecurity screenings within pediatric care settings to identify and support families in need.
Sanjeevi hopes this research will inspire further investigation into toddler nutrition and health. the study contributes to a growing body of evidence underscoring the importance of providing healthy food access to young children, ultimately aiming to create a future where all children have the opportunity to thrive.
This research was supported by a grant from the USDA’s Research innovation and Development Grants in Economics (RIDGE) Partnership. The authors clarified that the findings and conclusions presented do not represent official USDA or U.S. government policy.
Media Contact:
Stephanie engle, WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Communications and Marketing, 509-368-6937, stephanie.engle@wsu.edu
