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de Camargo EM, Gutiérrez-Espinoza H, López-Gil JF. Food Insecurity and Sleep-Related Problems in Adolescents: Findings from the EHDLA Study. Nutrients 2024; 16:1960. [PMID: 38931314 PMCID: PMC11206638 DOI: 10.3390/nu16121960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The current research aimed to investigate the connection between food insecurity and sleep issues among Spanish adolescents aged from 12 to 17 years from the Valle de Ricote (Region of Murcia, Spain). METHODS Data from the Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities Study, which included a sample of 836 adolescents (55.3% girls), were analyzed. Food insecurity was evaluated using the Child Food Security Survey Module in Spanish (CFSSM-S), while sleep-related problems were evaluated using the Bedtime problems, Excessive daytime sleepiness, Awakenings during the night, Regularity and duration of sleep, and Sleep-disordered breathing (BEARS) sleep screening tool. Generalized linear models were employed to explore the association between food insecurity and sleep-related issues. RESULTS Compared with their counterparts with food security, adolescents with food insecurity had greater probabilities of bedtime problems (24.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 16.9% to 33.0%, p = 0.003), excessive daytime sleepiness (36.4%, 95% CI 27.5% to 46.3%, p < 0.001), awakenings during the night (16.7%, 95% CI 10.8% to 25.1%, p = 0.004), and any sleep-related problems (68.1%, 95% CI 57.5% to 77.1%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that food insecurity is related to greater sleep-related problems among adolescents. Implementing strategies to mitigate food insecurity may contribute to improved sleep health among adolescents, highlighting the importance of integrated public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edina Maria de Camargo
- Department of Physical Education, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba 81531-980, Brazil
| | | | - José Francisco López-Gil
- One Health Research Group, Universidad de Las Américas, Quito 170124, Ecuador
- Department of Communication and Education, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 41704 Seville, Spain
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de Camargo EM, Chen S, Jiménez-López E, Victoria-Montesinos D, Smith L, López-Gil JF. Food insecurity and academic performance in Spanish adolescents: Results from the EHDLA study. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29489. [PMID: 38681539 PMCID: PMC11053195 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Food insecurity is a growing global issue that affects both developed and developing nations, and mounting evidence suggests that decreased consumption of healthy foods has been linked to lower academic performance in adolescents. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between food insecurity and academic performance in a sample of Spanish adolescents aged 12-17 years from the Valle de Ricote (Region of Murcia, Spain). Methods The present study analyzed data from the Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities study, which included a sample of 777 adolescents (55.3 % girls). The Spanish Child Food Security Survey Module was used to assess food insecurity, and academic performance was evaluated using school records provided by the schools. Linear regression models (fitted by robust methods) were used to compare the relationships between food insecurity status and academic performance-related indicators. Results Adolescents with the highest levels of food insecurity reported the lowest academic performance in language (mean [M] = 4.7; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 3.6 to 5.7), math (M = 4.6; 95 % CI 3.5 to 5.8), foreign language (M = 4.8; 95 % CI 3.8 to 5.8), and grade point average (M = 5.7; 95 % CI 4.9 to 6.5). Conversely, adolescents with the lowest levels of food insecurity reported the highest academic performance in language (M = 6.2; 95 % CI 6.0 to 6.5), math (M = 5.9; 95 % CI 5.5 to 6.2), foreign language (M = 6.2; 95 % CI 5.9 to 6.4), and grade point average (M = 6.7; 95 % CI 6.5 to 6.9) compared to those with higher food security. Conclusions Living in a more food-insecure household could explain the lower academic performance of adolescents. Food insecurity should always be on the agenda of public policies. The availability of quality basic food essentials must be ensured in permanently satisfactory quantities without compromising access to other fundamental needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edina Maria de Camargo
- Department of Physical Education, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba 81531-980, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Sitong Chen
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Estela Jiménez-López
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 16071 Cuenca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Lee Smith
- Centre for Health, Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK
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Barreiro-Álvarez MF, Latorre-Millán M, Bach-Faig A, Fornieles-Deu A, Sánchez-Carracedo D. Family meals and food insecurity in Spanish adolescents. Appetite 2024; 195:107214. [PMID: 38219830 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The world is not on track to achieve the goal of food security for the global population by 2030. New approaches to understand individuals' food insecurity are needed, especially insecurity related to children and adolescents, since it is associated with health and psychosocial problems. The study aimed to characterise the family dinners among a representative cohort of schooled adolescents (n = 1017) and their parents (n = 261) in Terrassa (Catalonia, Spain) and how family dinners could be related to household food insecurity. The survey findings revealed that in 2022, 19.2% of the adolescents were experiencing household food insecurity. Adolescents with a lower socioeconomic status and of foreign origin showed the highest likelihood of experiencing household food insecurity. Household food security was also associated with some characteristics of family dinners, such as better quality and a higher frequency (seven or more dinners eaten together per week). Based on this finding, possible ways in which family dinners could offer a beneficial effect, alleviating the consequences of food insecurity in adolescents, are discussed. In line with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goal of guaranteeing food security, the promotion of family dinners and their quality, frequency, and duration to leverage the beneficial effect in states of household food insecurity in Spanish adolescents should be taken into account to design actions and public campaigns in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miriam Latorre-Millán
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Open University of Catalonia, UOC), 08018, Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Miguel Servet University Hospital, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Anna Bach-Faig
- Food Lab Research Group (2021 SGR 01357), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Open University of Catalonia, UOC), 08018, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Albert Fornieles-Deu
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology of Health Sciences, Serra Húnter fellow, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
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Carrillo-Álvarez E. Perspective: Food and Nutrition Insecurity in Europe: Challenges and Opportunities for Dietitians. Adv Nutr 2023; 14:995-1004. [PMID: 37543145 PMCID: PMC10509433 DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the interest in food and nutrition insecurity in high-income countries has skyrocketed. However, its recognition in Europe is still developing. This perspective summarizes the evidence on food and nutrition insecurity across Europe in terms of prevalence, consequences, and current mitigation strategies, with the aim of outlining the challenges and opportunities for dietitians. Prevalence in the general population ranges between 5% and 20%, with higher rates identified in women, children, older adults, single-parent households, those with low educational attainment, and on low or unstable income and/or employment. In users of food aid, the prevalence of food insecurity is above 70%. Responses to food and nutrition insecurity include welfare policies and food assistance programs at regional and national levels. However, most current strategies are not successful in tackling the structural drivers of food and nutrition insecurity, nor do they guarantee diet quality. Despite limited involvement to-date, dietitians can play an important role in addressing food and nutrition insecurity across Europe. This narrative identifies 4 areas: 1) create awareness of the existence and severity of food and nutrition insecurity, 2) advocate for comprehensive, robust data on the determinants and prevalence, 3) partner with diverse stakeholders, social assistance providers, local authorities, and nongovernmental organizations in a comprehensive, intersectoral, and integrated manner, 4) participate in the development of political instruments and interventions that ensure equitable access to high-quality safe food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Carrillo-Álvarez
- Public Health Specialist Network (ESDN PH), European Federation of Association of Dietetics (EFAD), Europe; Global Research on Wellbeing (GRoW) research group, Blanquerna School of Health Sciences, Universitat Ramon Lull, Barcelona, Spain.
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López-Gil JF. The Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities (EHDLA) Study. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:370. [PMID: 35327742 PMCID: PMC8947596 DOI: 10.3390/children9030370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood obesity is one of the greatest public health concerns facing advanced societies, Spain being one of the countries with the highest incidence. In this sense, the Region of Murcia has been pointed out as the Spanish autonomous community with the highest prevalence of excess weight among young people. More specifically, the Valle de Ricote has shown an even greater proportion of excess weight among young people. Several sociodemographic, environmental, lifestyle, health-related, cognitive, and psychological factors are related to excess weight. Based on the lack of information, this research project will try to provide relevant information to design intervention programs, as well as to implement effective public policies to try and reverse this alarming situation. Therefore, this research project aims (1) to obtain cross-sectional and longitudinal data on the excess weight and their potential sociodemographic, environmental, lifestyle, health-related, cognitive, and psychological factors associated among adolescents from the Valle de Ricote (Region of Murcia, Spain) (aged 12-17 years), and (2) to examine the association between excess weight and their potential sociodemographic, environmental, lifestyle, health-related, cognitive, and psychological factors associated among this population. METHODS A cross-sectional study and follow-up study will be performed. This research project will involve adolescents using a simple random sampling technique. A total of three secondary schools from the Valle de Ricote (Region of Murcia, Spain) will be included in this project. The minimum sample size will be 1138, establishing a 95% confidence interval, a 40% prevalence of excess weight, a 3% margin of error, and a non-response rate of 10%. Primary outcome measures will be: (1) anthropometric measurements, (2) sociodemographic factors, (3) environmental factors, (4) lifestyle factors, (5) health-related factors, (6) cognitive factors, and (7) psychological factors. CONCLUSION This research project will aim to determine the prevalence of excess weight and interrelate their potential sociodemographic, environmental, lifestyle, health-related, cognitive, and psychological factors associated. The obtained results will help to manage and propose possible multidisciplinary interventions and strategies in order to prevent and reduce the excess weight in adolescents from the Valle de Ricote. Furthermore, orientations will be given to transfer the obtained results to the public sector to evaluate or change the adopted policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Francisco López-Gil
- Departamento de Expresión Plástica, Musical y Dinámica, Facultad de Educación, Universidad de Murcia (UM), 30100 Murcia, Spain;
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), 16071 Cuenca, Spain
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Maia I, Santos AC. Prevalence and determinants of children self-reports of food insecurity: evidence from a Portuguese population-based birth cohort. Food Secur 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12571-021-01233-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Maia I, Severo M, Santos AC. Application of the mixture item response theory model to the Self-Administered Food Security Survey Module for Children. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228099. [PMID: 31971981 PMCID: PMC6977726 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Self-Administered Food Security Survey Module for Children was developed to assess food insecurity of individual children and has not been used in Portugal. We aimed to apply the mixture item response theory model to the Self-Administered Food Security Survey Module for Children, to assess its reliability and validity, and to estimate the cut-offs of the food security status for Portuguese children. Methods The scale was self-administered to 2132 children of the Generation XXI birth cohort. The internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. We evaluated dimensionality and/or clustering, and Latent Class Analysis, Latent Trait Analysis and Mixture Latent Trait Analysis were tested. The number of classes and/or traits were defined according to the Akaike Information Criterion, Bayesian Information Criterion, Adjusted Bayesian Information Criterion, Vuong-Lo-Mendell-Rubin Likelihood Ratio Test, Bootstrapped Likelihood Ratio Test and Entropy. Construct validity was explored using socio-demographic characteristics. The classification tree was used to define cut-offs to predict cluster membership. Results The best model was a Mixture Latent Trait Analysis with 1 factor and 2 classes (food security and food insecurity), assuming class variant item parameters (for items 1 and 3). Based on the estimated posterior probabilities, the food insecurity prevalence was 17.6%. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.617. A higher proportion of less-educated mothers and low-income households was observed in the food insecurity class. The classification tree showed an accuracy of 100.0% by identifying the food security and food insecurity groups. Conclusion Our results supported that the Self-Administered Food Security Survey Module for Children provides a valid and reliable measure, which allows the identification of food insecurity among Portuguese children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Maia
- EPIUnit—Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, Porto, Portugal
- * E-mail:
| | - Milton Severo
- EPIUnit—Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Cristina Santos
- EPIUnit—Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, Porto, Portugal
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