Health outcomes following childhood or adolescent exposure to household food insecurity: a rapid systematic review.

Abstract

Objectives: Household food insecurity (HFI) is a social determinant of health globally. Rates of HFI have risen in many high-income countries in recent years, particularly in households with children. The health outcomes associated with HFI for children and adolescents have not been systematically synthesised. This review was conducted to support advocacy efforts for meaningful policy action to reduce HFI in households with children.

Design: A systematic search was conducted in Medline, Embase and PsycInfo databases. Primary studies measuring the association between physical or mental health outcomes and HFI were included. Studies were appraised and population, setting, measures and outcomes were extracted. Findings were grouped by related outcomes. Due to heterogeneity, findings were synthesised narratively. Rapid review methodology was used to accommodate resource constraints.

Setting: High-income countries.

Participants: Youth aged less than 18 years.

Results: Thirty-six studies were included. Most were cross-sectional studies conducted in the USA. Outcomes included general health, early childhood, cardiometabolic, asthma, dental caries, mental health, sleep, diet and anaemia. Despite substantial heterogeneity in HFI measures and analysis, findings support associations between HFI and negative outcomes for general health status, asthma, dental caries and mental health. Findings for other outcomes were mixed.

Conclusions: This review clarifies the effects of HFI on children and adolescents. Findings highlight trends for negative physical and mental health outcomes associated with HFI during youth, particularly related to mental health, oral health, asthma and general health status. Policy-level action should address rising rates of HFI and long-term effects on these vulnerable populations.