Child Food Insecurity and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Low-Income Infants and Toddlers in the United States

Utilizing community-based data from the Children’s Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program (C-SNAP), this article investigates the association between child-level food insecurity and iron status in young children. In a sample of 626 children ≤ 36 months, food insecure children were significantly more likely to be iron deficient with anemia (IDA) compared to food secure children.  IDA is a clinically important health indicator with known negative cognitive, behavioral, and health consequences.  Cuts in spending on food assistance programs that address children’s food insecurity may lead to adverse health consequences.