科研之友
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摘要
Food insecurity (which can be defined as inadequate access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets individuals%26apos; dietary needs) is concurrently associated with children%26apos;s psychological difficulties. However, the predictive role of food insecurity with regard to specific types of children%26apos;s mental health symptoms has not previously been studied. We used data from the Longitudinal Study of Child Development in Quebec, LSCDQ, a representative birth cohort study of children born in the Quebec region, in Canada, in 1997-1998 (n = 2120). Family food insecurity was ascertained when children were 11/2 and 41/2 years old. Children%26apos;s mental health symptoms were assessed longitudinally using validated measures of behaviour at ages 41/2, 5, 6 and 8 years. Symptom trajectory groups were estimated to identify children with persistently high levels of depression/anxiety (21.0%), aggression (26.2%), and hyperactivity/inattention (6.0%). The prevalence of food insecurity in the study was 5.9%. In sex-adjusted analyses, children from food-insecure families were disproportionately likely to experience persistent symptoms of depression/anxiety (OR: 1.79, 95% CI 1.15-2.79) and hyperactivity/inattention (OR: 3.06, 95% CI 1.68-5.55). After controlling for immigrant status, family structure, maternal age at child%26apos;s birth, family income, maternal and paternal education, prenatal tobacco exposure, maternal and paternal depression and negative parenting, only persistent hyperactivity/inattention remained associated with food insecurity (fully adjusted OR: 2.65, 95% CI 1.16-6.06). Family food insecurity predicts high levels of children%26apos;s mental health symptoms, particularly hyperactivity/inattention. Addressing food insecurity and associated problems in families could help reduce the burden of mental health problems in children and reduce social inequalities in development.
- 出版日期2012-12-26
