How Does Food Insecurity in Adolescence Affect BMI in Young Adulthood?

Addressing food insecurity at age 15 or later in adolescent girls could possibly prevent later obesity.

Food insecurity, a known social determinant of health, occurs in approximately 15% of teens in the U.S. To determine the relationship between food insecurity and obesity, researchers analyzed data from a longitudinal study of 559 teens (and their parents) surveyed from age 15 through age 31 at 1-to-2-year intervals. Families were white and lived in the rural Midwest. Food insecurity was assessed using two questions that asked whether respondents had enough money to buy food and if they altered food shopping or eating habits to save money. Results were as follows:

A higher initial level of food insecurity (at age 15 years) predicted a faster rise in body-mass index (BMI) over the course of the study in girls but not boys.
A faster rise in food…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

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Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

How Does Food Insecurity in Adolescence Affect BMI in Young Adulthood?

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