Prevalence, socio-economic predictors and health correlates of food insecurity among Italian children- findings from a cross-sectional study

Considering food insecurity is a problem, even in developed countries, and the evidence gap regarding this issue in Italy, we aimed to assess the prevalence of food insecurity in a sample of Italian children and examine socio-economic and health correlates. This cross-sectional study was conducted in paediatric practices. Parents answered to the 18-items of the Household Food Security Module, 8 of which concern children. Paediatricians answered a questionnaire on children’s health. Socio-economic and health correlates of food insecurity in children were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Among 573 households with children, 15·4% were food insecure, while 9·1% of children were food insecure. Socioeconomic factors associated to food insecurity were living in south Italy, households with three or more children, lower household yearly income, worse economic situation description and younger parents. Food insecure children were less likely to have a normal relational [ aOR 0.31 (CI 0.11-0.85)] and physical development [aOR 0.32(CI 0.15-0.65) and had more school difficulties [aOR 3.1(CI 1.33-7.24)] compared to their food secure peers. Food insecure children had higher odds of a deterioration in their health since birth and of a worse perceived health status, as reported by their parents. Considering the results in this sample and the lack of research regarding this issues in Italy and Europemore broadly, we call for consistent, nationalmonitoring to determine the magnitude of the problem of food insecurity in households with children in Italy and to examine the socioeconomic variables and health implications in different contexts.