The Role of Health Behaviors and Food Insecurity in Predicting Food Intake in Low-Income Children

Abstract

Research supports the importance of adequate fruit and vegetable intake during childhood. Despite this fact, there is still much to be learned with regard to predictors of food intake in childhood. The current project examines relationships between physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, food insecurity, and food intake in elementary-aged children (i.e., ages 5 - 10). A measurement model was specified to ensure good fit between the data and predictive model. Following this step, the structural model was conducted and several significant findings emerged. Food insecurity significantly predicted vegetable intake (latent regression coefficient = -0.18, p < .05), such that children with higher food insecurity consumed fewer servings of vegetables. Physical activity also significantly predicted fruit intake (latent regression coefficient = 0.32, p < .01) and vegetable intake (latent regression coefficient = 0.26, p < .01), such that children who were more physically active consumed more servings of fruits and vegetables. Implications of the current findings and directions for future research are discussed.