Researchers in Brazil studied over 14,000 families with young children to understand how money problems affect what kids eat. They found that when families couldn’t afford enough food, children aged 6 months to 5 years ate fewer vegetables, fruits, and diverse foods. Interestingly, babies under 6 months weren’t affected the same way. The study shows that poverty and food shortages create real differences in children’s diets, with the most severe food problems leading to the biggest nutritional gaps. These findings suggest that helping families afford better food could improve children’s health.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How families’ ability to afford food affects what young children eat in Brazil
  • Who participated: 14,558 children under 5 years old and their families across Brazil, representing different income levels and neighborhoods
  • Key finding: Children in families with severe food shortages ate far fewer vegetables and fruits, and had less variety in their diets compared to families with enough food. Kids aged 6-23 months in struggling families were 2.5 times more likely to eat no vegetables or fruit at all.
  • What it means for you: If your family struggles to afford food, your child’s nutrition may be affected. Programs that help families buy nutritious foods could make a real difference in children’s health and development. This research supports the need for stronger food assistance programs.

The Research Details

This was a large snapshot study that looked at information collected from Brazilian families in 2019. Researchers asked families questions about whether they had enough money for food and what their children ate the day before the interview. They used a special scale to measure food insecurity—basically asking families if they sometimes ran out of money for food or had to skip meals. For each age group of children, they looked at different eating habits: babies under 6 months (whether they started solid foods too early), toddlers 6-23 months (whether they ate a variety of foods and vegetables), and older children 24-59 months (whether they ate beans, vegetables, fruits, and how much junk food they consumed).

This approach is important because it uses real-world data from a nationally representative sample, meaning the results likely reflect what’s happening across all of Brazil. By looking at actual families and their situations, researchers can understand how poverty affects children’s nutrition in practical ways. The study also looked at different age groups separately because young children have different nutritional needs.

This study is strong because it included a very large number of families (over 14,000), making the results more reliable. The researchers used standardized tools to measure food insecurity and feeding practices, which means they measured things consistently. However, because this was a snapshot in time rather than following families over years, we can see connections between food insecurity and eating habits, but can’t be completely certain that food insecurity directly causes the poor eating patterns.

What the Results Show

The most important finding was that severe food insecurity strongly affected what children ate, but the impact varied by age. For children aged 6-23 months experiencing severe food shortages, only 40% met dietary diversity standards (meaning they ate a good variety of foods), compared to children in food-secure homes. These same children were nearly 2.5 times more likely to eat absolutely no vegetables or fruits. For older children aged 24-59 months in severely food-insecure households, about half were less likely to eat vegetables compared to children whose families had enough food. Interestingly, babies under 6 months didn’t show the same patterns, possibly because they’re still primarily drinking breast milk or formula. The study also found that food insecurity was more common in poorer families and those with less education, showing clear connections between poverty and food access.

The research revealed that moderate food insecurity (when families sometimes worry about affording food but manage) had less dramatic effects than severe food insecurity (when families regularly run out of money for food). The patterns were consistent across different regions of Brazil, suggesting this is a widespread issue rather than a local problem. The study also showed that when families struggle financially, they tend to buy cheaper, less nutritious foods, which explains why children eat fewer vegetables and fruits.

This is the first study in Brazil to examine this connection using nationally representative data, so it fills an important gap. Similar research from other countries has shown comparable patterns—when families can’t afford food, children eat less variety and fewer healthy foods. This study confirms that what researchers have found elsewhere also applies to Brazil, making it relevant for understanding global nutrition challenges.

The study only captured what children ate on one day, which might not represent their typical diet. Families answered questions about their own food insecurity, which could be affected by embarrassment or misunderstanding. The researchers couldn’t prove that food insecurity directly causes poor eating—only that they occur together. Additionally, the study was conducted in 2019, so some situations may have changed since then.

The Bottom Line

If you’re a parent or caregiver struggling to afford food: (1) Look into government food assistance programs in your area—they can help stretch your budget; (2) Focus on affordable nutritious foods like beans, eggs, and seasonal vegetables; (3) Talk to your child’s doctor about nutrition concerns. If you work in public health or policy: This research supports investing in food assistance programs and policies that ensure families can afford nutritious foods. The evidence is strong that these programs would improve children’s nutrition.

Parents and caregivers in low-income families should pay attention to this research, as it directly affects their children’s health. Healthcare providers caring for young children should be aware that food insecurity may explain poor nutrition. Policymakers and government officials should use this evidence to support food assistance and anti-poverty programs. This research is less relevant for families with stable food access, though it helps them understand challenges others face.

Changes in children’s nutrition from improved food access would likely appear gradually over weeks to months. You might notice improvements in energy levels and health within a few weeks, but long-term benefits to growth and development take several months to become clear.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily vegetable and fruit servings for your child, aiming for at least one serving per meal. Use the app to log what your child ate and compare it to recommended amounts for their age group.
  • If food is tight, use the app to find affordable recipes using beans, eggs, and seasonal vegetables. Set a weekly goal to introduce one new affordable healthy food to your child’s diet.
  • Monitor your child’s dietary diversity score weekly using the app. Track whether your child is eating vegetables, fruits, proteins, and grains. Share this information with your pediatrician to identify nutritional gaps and get support.

This research describes patterns found in Brazilian families and shows associations between food insecurity and children’s diets. It does not provide medical advice. If you have concerns about your child’s nutrition or growth, please consult with your pediatrician or a registered dietitian. This study cannot prove that food insecurity directly causes poor nutrition, only that they occur together. Individual circumstances vary, and professional guidance is important for your child’s specific situation.