Jayna Dave

Understanding the association between food security status (FSS) and diet quality in children is crucial. This study investigated regional variability in FSS, participation in the federal nutrition assistance program (FNAP), and diet quality among US children. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2013 to 2016 were analyzed. The association between FSS, FNAP participation, and diet quality (Healthy Eating Index—HEI-2015) was assessed using multiple linear/logistic regression models. The sample included 6403 children (mean age: 7.5 years; 51% male; 33% Hispanic). Within the sample, 13% reported child food insecurity, and 30% reported household food insecurity. Additionally, 90% participated in the FNAP, and 88% were enrolled in school lunch programs. Children in urban areas were significantly more likely to report household food insecurity than those in rural areas (29.15% vs. 19.10%). The overall HEI-2015 score was 48.2. The associations between child/household FSS and FNAP participation as well as between child/household FSS and diet quality did not differ by urban/rural residence status, irrespective of the children’s age groups. There is a need for improvement in children’s diet quality, regardless of age or urban/rural residence. The findings suggest that improving children’s diets requires broader action as well as the prioritizing of children in urban areas experiencing food insecurity in future dietary interventions.

Consuming an unhealthy diet increases health risks. This study assessed the impact of a culturally adapted behaviorally innovative obesity prevention intervention (The Butterfly Girls and the Quest for Founder’s Rock) on diet quality in pre-adolescent non-Hispanic Black/African American girls. The RCT consisted of three groups (experimental, comparison, and waitlist control); block randomization allocated participants to each group. The two treatment groups varied in terms of whether or not they set goals. Data were collected at baseline (prior to receiving the intervention), post 1 (3 months post-baseline), and post 2 (6 months post-baseline). Two dietitian-assisted 24 h dietary recalls were collected at each timepoint. Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) was used to determine diet quality. A total of 361 families were recruited; 342 completed baseline data collection. No significant differences in overall HEI score or component scores were observed. To attain more equitable health outcomes, future efforts to promote dietary intake change among at-risk children should explore other behavior change procedures and employ more child-friendly dietary assessment methods.