Food Insecurity and Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Child Development Outcomes

• In Event: 73.060 - Roundtable Session 31
  In Roundtable Session: 73.060-7 - The Environment and Its Impact on Early Chidhood

Abstract

The present research examines the effects of food insecurity during children’s first two years on their social, emotional, and behavioral development as observed in the preschool years. Increasing numbers of households in the United States have a lack of access to adequate food and healthy food, especially lower income households. The data for this study are from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, the Birth Cohort (ECLS-BC). This study uses a propensity score analysis to isolate the unique impact associated with the specific aspect of the challenge of food insecurity. The findings have implications for child development, along with other early health risks and socioeconomic variables, and for social policies affecting children and families.

Authors

• Sherri L. Oden, Oakland University

• Julia B. Smith, Oakland University

• Ashley Blake, Oakland University