Author ORCID Identifier
Marissa A. Beldon: 0000-0002-9680-0226
Shondra L. Clay: 0000-0002-8607-9463
M. Courtney Hughes:0000-0002-8699-5701
Kathryn Mazurek: 0000-0002-8350-1753
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
Abstract
Objective
To explore the relationship between low birthweight (LBW) and food insecurity across US counties and determine whether this relationship differs between Black and White women.
Methods
LBW data was derived from the 2013–2019 National Center for Health Statistics and National Vital Statistics System Birth Files. Food insecurity data was derived from Feeding America’s 2013–2019 Map the Meal Gap project. Analyses included descriptive statistics and regression models.
Results
Data were available for 3037 US counties. Food insecurity significantly predicted county-level LBW (t(3035) = 44.48, P < .001) and explained 39.46% of the variance in LBW (F(13,035) = 1978.03, P < .001, R = .63). Food insecurity predicted LBW for both Black (t(1418) = 17.39, P < .001) and White women (t(1918) = 18.26, P < .001) and had a slightly larger effect size for Black women with fitted line plots also supporting a stronger relationship for Black women.
Conclusions
Food insecurity predicts LBW in US counties, and the relationship may be stronger for Black women. Increasing access to healthy food should be considered when planning county-level efforts for improving LBW.
First Page
1
Last Page
10
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40615-025-02325-9
Publication Date
2025
Recommended Citation
Beldon, M. A., Clay, S. L., Hughes, M. C., & Mazurek, K. (2025). The Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Low Birthweight Across US Counties and Related Racial Disparities. Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities, 1-10.
Original Citation
Beldon, M. A., Clay, S. L., Hughes, M. C., & Mazurek, K. (2025). The Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Low Birthweight Across US Counties and Related Racial Disparities. Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities, 1-10.
Department
School of Health Studies| School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions
Included in
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Maternal and Child Health Commons, Social Work Commons
