1. Associations of household food insufficiency with childhood depression and anxiety: a nationwide cross-sectional study in the USA
- Author
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Zheng, Siwen, Ngo, Amanda L, Forman, Michele R, Barcellos, Anna L, Liao, Lauren, Ferrara, Assiamira, and Zhu, Yeyi
- Subjects
Brain Disorders ,Behavioral and Social Science ,Clinical Research ,Pediatric ,Mental Health ,Depression ,Aetiology ,2.3 Psychological ,social and economic factors ,Mental health ,Good Health and Well Being ,Anxiety ,Anxiety Disorders ,Child ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Female ,Humans ,Male ,United States ,epidemiology ,nutrition & dietetics ,community child health ,child & adolescent psychiatry ,public health ,Clinical Sciences ,Public Health and Health Services ,Other Medical and Health Sciences - Abstract
ObjectiveHousehold food insufficiency (HFIS) is a major public health threat to children. Children may be particularly vulnerable to HFIS as a psychological stressor due to their rapid growth and accelerated behavioural and cognitive states, whereas data focusing on HFIS and childhood mental disorders are as-yet sparse. We aimed to examine the associations of HFIS with depression and anxiety in US children.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingThe 2016-2018 National Survey of Children's Health, a nationally-representative study.ParticipantsPrimary caregivers of 102 341 children in the USA.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPhysician diagnosed depression and anxiety were assessed by questionnaires administered to primary caregivers of 102 341 children. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated adjusted OR (aOR) for current depression or anxiety associated with HFIS measured through a validated single-item instrument.ResultsAmong children aged 3-17 years, 3.2% and 7.4% had parent-reported physician-diagnosed current depression and anxiety, respectively. Compared with children without HFIS, children with HFIS had approximately twofold higher weighted prevalence of anxiety or depression. After adjusting for covariates, children with versus without HFIS had a 1.53-fold (95% CI 1.15 to 2.03) and 1.48-fold (95% CI 1.20 to 1.82) increased odds of current depression and anxiety, respectively. Associations were slightly more pronounced among girls (aOR (95% CI): depression 1.69 (1.16 to 2.48); anxiety 1.78 (1.33 to 2.38)) than boys (1.42 (0.98 to 2.08); 1.32 (1.00 to 1.73); both P-for-interaction
- Published
- 2021