Browsing by Author "Perkins, Meghan"

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    Household food insecurity is associated with obesogenic health behaviours among a low-income cohort of pregnant women in Boston, MA
    (Cambridge University Press, 2023) Cheng, Erika R.; Luo, Mandy; Perkins, Meghan; Blake-Lamb, Tiffany; Kotelchuck, Milton; Boudreau, Alexy Arauz; Taveras, Elsie M.; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Objective: To examine associations of household food insecurity with health and obesogenic behaviours among pregnant women enrolled in an obesity prevention programme in the greater Boston area. Design: Cross-sectional evaluation. Data were collected from structured questionnaires that included a validated two-item screener to assess household food insecurity. We used separate multivariable linear and logistic regression models to quantify the association between household food insecurity and maternal health behaviours (daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, sugar-sweetened beverages and fast food, physical activity, screen time, and sleep), mental health outcomes (depression and stress), hyperglycaemia status and gestational weight gain. Setting: Three community health centres that primarily serve low-income and racial/ethnic minority patients in Revere, Chelsea and Dorchester, Massachusetts. Participants: Totally, 858 pregnant women participating in the First 1,000 Days program, a quasi-experimental trial. Results: Approximately 21 % of women reported household food insecurity. In adjusted analysis, household food insecurity was associated with low fruit and vegetable intake (β = -0·31 daily servings; 95 % CI -0·52, -0·10), more screen time (β = 0·32 daily hours; 95 % CI 0·04, 0·61), less sleep (β = -0·32 daily hours; 95 % CI -0·63, -0·01), and greater odds of current (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4·42; 95 % CI 2·33, 8·35) or past depression (AOR 3·01; 95 % CI 2·08, 4·35), and high stress (AOR 2·91; 95 % CI 1·98, 4·28). Conclusions: In our sample of mostly low-income, racial/ethnic minority pregnant women, household food insecurity was associated with mental health and behaviours known to increase the likelihood of obesity.
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    The Association of Food Insecurity on Body Mass Index Change in a Pediatric Weight Management Intervention
    (Wiley, 2023) Persaud, Alicia; Evans, E. Whitney; Perkins, Meghan; Simione, Meg; Cheng, Erika R.; Luo, Mandy; Burgun, Rachel; Taveras, Elsie M.; Fiechtner, Lauren; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Background: Childhood obesity is a critical public health concern. One potential determinant to obesity that is less understood is food insecurity. Objective: To examine the association of food security status on body mass index (BMI) change in a Pediatric Weight Management Intervention (PWMI) consistent with national treatment recommendations. Methods: This analysis included 201 participants from the Healthy Weight Clinic (HWC). Using linear mixed models, we compared BMI and %BMIp95 change per year between the food insecure group and food secure group, adjusting for baseline BMI, age and sex, and SNAP enrolment. Results: In fully adjusted models, children in households with food insecurity had a 0.50 (0.26-0.74) kg/m2 BMI increase per year and a 2.10 (1.02-3.19) %BMIp95 increase per year compared to households that were food secure. Conclusions: When comparing the BMI effect of the HWC between the food insecure group and food secure group, those experiencing food insecurity in the HWC had an increase in BMI compared to those with food security. These findings suggest that food insecurity may reduce the effectiveness of PWMIs consistent with national recommendations; however, more studies should be conducted to better understand this relationship.