Transitional Dynamics of Household Food Insecurity Impact Children's Developmental Outcomes

ABSTRACT: Objective: To determine how transitions into and out of varying degrees of food insecurity impact children's academic competencies, executive functioning, and social skills (i.e., self-control, interpersonal skills, externalizing behaviors, and internalizing behaviors). Method: Data come from the nationally representative kindergarten and first-grade waves of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (2010–2011); 11,958 children attending 1289 schools are included. Statistical analyses involve using a novel framework for measuring the transitional dynamics and depth of food insecurity to predict children's developmental outcomes using hierarchal linear models, which adjust for child- and school-level confounders. Results: Deepening food insecurity (DeepenFIS) was detrimental to children's self-control (−0.208, p
Source: Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - Category: Child Development Tags: Original Article Source Type: research