Household food insecurity is associated with self-reported pregravid weight status, gestational weight gain, and pregnancy complications.

BACKGROUND

Household food insecurity is positively associated with weight among women. The association between household food insecurity and pregnancy-related weight gain and complications is not well understood.

OBJECTIVE

To identify whether an independent association exists between household food insecurity and pregnancy-related complications.

DESIGN

Data from the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition prospective cohort study were used to assess household food insecurity retrospectively using the US Department of Agriculture 18-item Core Food Security Module among 810 pregnant women with incomes < or =400% of the income/poverty ratio, recruited between January 2001 and June 2005 and followed through pregnancy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Self-reported pregravid body mass index, gestational weight gain, second trimester anemia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and gestational diabetes mellitus.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED

Multivariate linear, multinomial logistic, and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Among 810 pregnant women, 76% were from fully food secure, 14% were from marginally food secure, and 10% were from food insecure households. In adjusted models, living in a food insecure household was significantly associated with severe pregravid obesity (adjusted odds ratio 2.97, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 1.44 to 6.14), higher gestational weight gain (adjusted beta coefficient 1.87, 95% CI 0.13 to 3.62), and with a higher adequacy of weight gain ratio (adjusted beta .27, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.50). Marginal food security was significantly associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (adjusted odds ratio 2.76, 95% CI 1.00 to 7.66).

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the possibility that living in a food insecure household during pregnancy may increase risk of greater weight gain and pregnancy complications.