Relationship between food insecurity and obesity among children and adolescents who participated in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K)

Introduction: Although there is some evidence to suggest a relationship between childhood hunger and childhood obesity among youth living in the United States, the nature of the relationship remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to therefore elucidate the relationship using population-level data obtained from children and adolescents who participated in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K).

Methodology: Regression modeling techniques will be employed to examine, longitudinally, associations between child/adolescent food security statuses as assessed by the validated food security scale scores and change in measured body mass index (BMI) z-score. Relationships between and among food security status, poverty, race/ethnicity, other pertinent sociodemographic characteristics, dietary quality, and obesity will also be evaluated for their potential mediating and moderating effects.

Expected Results: It is hypothesized that childhood hunger (as assessed by measures of food security) and childhood obesity (as assessed by measured BMI z-score) will be positively related. Moreover, the magnitude of the effect will vary by the degree of hunger, associated sociodemographic characteristics, and dietary quality.

Discussion: This study is both timely and important. Study findings will help to inform on the state of childhood hunger and childhood obesity research, both of which are top public-health priority areas identified by the current Administration.