New Curtin University research has revealed child food insecurity in developed countries is not solely driven by poverty but is also strongly influenced by factors such as housing instability, parental mental health and social isolation.
The study found that in addition to low income, other major social vulnerability factors – including household composition, housing stability, social engagement, ethnicity and racism, and parental mental health – play a crucial role in determining a child’s risk of experiencing food insecurity.
Lead author PhD candidate Liyuwork Dana from Curtin’s School of Population Health said while financial hardship remains a primary driver of food insecurity, the study underscores the need to encompass multiple factors in a targeted approach to addressing the issue.
“Our research found children living in vulnerable households are not only at a higher risk of experiencing food insecurity but also suffer long-term health and developmental consequences as a result,” Mrs Dana said.
“While food relief programs provide temporary support, they do not address the root causes of food insecurity.
“We need policies that tackle the structural issues that place families at risk, such as housing stability, employment security, supporting social engagement and access to mental health support. Addressing these could significantly reduce the likelihood and severity of childhood food insecurity.”
The study reviewed existing research published since 2000 that examined key social factors contributing to child food insecurity. Of nearly 5700 studies that were screened, 49 studies encompassing 183,829 children from 62,625 households mainly from the US and Canada were examined.
Co-author Professor Christina Pollard, also from Curtin’s School of Population Health, said the findings highlight a concerning lack of monitoring and surveillance of childhood food insecurity in developed countries outside of North America.
“The research calls for ongoing studies to track how food insecurity impacts children at different stages of development and how social vulnerability shifts over time,” Professor Pollard said.
“Our findings emphasise the need for government-led interventions that go beyond food relief and instead focus on preventative social policies.
“Addressing child food insecurity requires a co-ordinated effort that strengthens social safety nets, improves access to affordable housing and ensures that families have the resources they need to provide stable, nutritious meals.”
The research is the first to comprehensively examine the key social vulnerability factors associated with food insecurity and its severity among children residing in economically developed countries.
The full study, titled ‘Social Vulnerability and Child Food Insecurity in Developed Countries: A Systematic Review,’ was published in Advances in Nutrition and is available here.
