Food insecurity and birth outcomes in Oregon women

Background: Recent studies suggest that food insecurity may be a factor in pregnancy outcomes, such as low birth weight. It is uncertain whether food insecurity during pregnancy causes other outcomes. We examined this question in a large population-based observational survey of postpartum women. In this analysis, we examined a single measure of food insecurity for possible associations with birth outcomes including preterm delivery and intrauterine growth retardation.

Methods: The Oregon Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a stratified random sample of Oregon birthing women who have recently had a live birth. Oregon PRAMS asked new mothers whether, in the 12 months before birth, they ever ate less than they felt they should because there wasn't enough money to buy food. Gestational age and birth weight data were obtained from birth certificate records. Bivariate logistic analysis was performed on all factors to determine associations.

Results: Of 1915 women surveyed who had live births in 2005, 11.3% reported having experienced at least one episode of food insecurity. 16.1% of women with food insecurity had a preterm delivery (gestational age < 37 weeks). Compared to women who did not report food insecurity, women who reported food insecurity had a statistically non-significant increase in preterm delivery (OR 1.85; 95% CI, 0.93, 3.63). 14.0% of women with food insecurity had a baby with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR; birthweight below the 10th percentile for gestational age). Compared to women who did not report food insecurity, women who reported food insecurity had a statistically non-significant increase in IUGR (OR 1.47; 95% CI: 0.62, 3.48).

Discussion: Women who reported food insecurity in the 12 months prior to delivery were not significantly more likely to have either a preterm delivery or a child with intrauterine growth retardation.