Researchers studied nearly 1,000 families who receive government food assistance to understand how struggling to afford food affects young children’s health and development. They found that children whose families consistently couldn’t afford enough food had worse eating habits and slower development compared to kids whose families had reliable access to food. The problem got worse the longer families struggled with food shortages. This research shows that helping families access affordable food isn’t just about preventing hunger—it’s crucial for helping children grow and develop normally during their most important early years.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How often families struggle to afford enough food and whether this affects what young children eat and how they develop
  • Who participated: 981 families with children ages 2-5 who receive WIC (a government program that helps low-income families buy healthy food). The study followed these families over several years.
  • Key finding: Children whose families constantly struggled to buy food had noticeably worse eating habits and were about half as likely to reach normal developmental milestones compared to children whose families always had enough food
  • What it means for you: If your family struggles to afford food, getting help through programs like WIC is even more important than you might think—it directly affects your child’s brain development and eating patterns. If you know families struggling, connecting them to food assistance programs could make a real difference in their children’s futures.

The Research Details

Researchers used information from a large government study called the WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study that tracked families over time. They divided families into four groups based on how often they struggled to afford food: families that always had enough, families that rarely struggled, families that frequently struggled, and families that constantly struggled. The researchers then looked at two things: what the children ate (measuring diet quality) and how the children were developing (using a standard checklist of skills children should have at different ages). They used statistical methods to make sure they were comparing similar families and to account for other factors that might affect children’s health.

This approach is important because it shows what actually happens to real families over time, rather than just looking at one moment in time. By tracking families repeatedly, researchers could see whether the problem got worse the longer families struggled with food insecurity. This helps us understand that it’s not just about being hungry once—it’s about the ongoing stress and limited choices that come with constantly worrying about affording food.

This study is strong because it included a large number of families (981), followed them over time, and used standard tools to measure both diet quality and child development. The researchers also used statistical weights to make sure their findings represent all WIC families, not just the ones in their study. However, the study only included families receiving WIC assistance, so results may not apply to families with more resources or those not in the program.

What the Results Show

Children whose families constantly struggled to afford food had significantly worse eating habits at age 3. Specifically, their diet quality scores were noticeably lower than children whose families always had enough food. This suggests that food insecurity directly affects what children eat—likely because families have to choose cheaper, less nutritious foods when money is tight.

Even more concerning, children from families that constantly struggled with food insecurity were much less likely to reach normal developmental milestones. At age 3.5, these children were about half as likely to show typical development. By age 4.5, this gap actually widened—they were only about one-third as likely to show normal development compared to children from food-secure families.

The study also found that the problem improved somewhat as children got older. Fewer families were struggling by the time children reached age 5 compared to when they were ages 2-3, suggesting that some families’ situations improved over time or that families found ways to cope better.

The research showed that the effect wasn’t all-or-nothing. Families that rarely or occasionally struggled with food insecurity had outcomes somewhere between families that always struggled and families that never struggled. This suggests there’s a dose-response relationship—the more often families struggle, the worse the effects on children. The fact that developmental problems were more noticeable at older ages (4.5 years) than at younger ages suggests that the effects of food insecurity may build up over time.

Previous research has shown that food insecurity affects children’s health, but this study adds important new information by showing how the duration and frequency of food insecurity matter. It confirms what other studies have suggested—that food insecurity isn’t just a nutrition problem, it’s a development problem that affects children’s ability to learn and grow. The findings align with research showing that stress from poverty and food insecurity can affect brain development in young children.

This study only included families already receiving WIC assistance, so we don’t know if the same patterns would appear in families with more resources or those not in the program. The study measured food insecurity and child outcomes at the same time, so we can’t be completely certain that food insecurity caused the developmental problems—other factors related to poverty might also play a role. Additionally, the study relied on parents’ reports of their children’s development, which might not be as accurate as professional assessments.

The Bottom Line

If your family struggles to afford food, applying for or maintaining WIC benefits should be a priority—the evidence strongly suggests this support directly helps your child’s development and eating habits (High confidence). Make sure children ages 2-5 are getting regular check-ups to monitor their development, especially if your family has experienced food insecurity (Moderate confidence). If you know families struggling with food, help them connect to available resources like WIC, food banks, and community meal programs (High confidence).

Families with young children (ages 2-5) who struggle to afford food should absolutely pay attention to these findings. Parents and caregivers concerned about their child’s development should consider whether food insecurity might be a factor. Healthcare providers, teachers, and social workers should recognize that food insecurity can affect child development and should screen for it. Policymakers should use this evidence to support and expand food assistance programs. This research is less directly relevant to families with reliable food access, though it’s important context for understanding childhood inequality.

The effects of food insecurity on development appear to build up over time. Children whose families struggled for extended periods showed more significant developmental delays than those whose families struggled briefly. If families gain access to stable food through programs like WIC, improvements in diet quality may happen relatively quickly, but developmental catch-up may take longer and might require additional support.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your child’s developmental milestones monthly using a simple checklist (can they follow 2-step directions? Do they use 50+ words? Can they jump?). Also track weekly meal variety—aim to include at least 5 different food groups daily. If using WIC benefits, log which approved foods you’re purchasing to ensure you’re getting the most nutritious options.
  • If your family receives WIC, use the app to find recipes that use your WIC-approved foods in appealing ways for young children. Set reminders for well-child visits to monitor development. If you’re struggling with food insecurity, use the app to locate nearby food banks, community meal programs, and WIC offices. Create a simple meal plan using affordable, nutritious foods to maximize the nutrition your child gets from available resources.
  • Check in monthly on your child’s development using standard milestone checklists (available free online through CDC or Ages & Stages Questionnaires). Track diet quality by noting the variety of foods your child eats weekly. If you notice your child falling behind on milestones or if food insecurity worsens, schedule an appointment with your pediatrician. Use the app to maintain a log of food assistance benefits and when they renew to ensure continuous access.

This research shows an association between food insecurity and poorer child outcomes, but individual results may vary. Food insecurity is one of many factors affecting child development. If you’re concerned about your child’s development or nutrition, consult with your pediatrician or a registered dietitian. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If your family is struggling to afford food, contact your local WIC office, food bank, or call 211 to find assistance programs in your area.