Study in Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics led
by Simmons College Professor BOSTON (January 31, 2013) —
Children of low-income, overweight/obese mothers - those living
under conditions of chronic mild food insecurity - are at
greater risk of becoming obese preschoolers compared to children
living in food secure families during the first 3-4 years of
life. This was a key finding recently published in the Journal
of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, in a study led by
Simmons College Nutrition Professor Elizabeth Metallinos-
Katsaras. The study is among the first to demonstrate the link
between mild food insecurity and early childhood obesity among
children of overweight/obese mothers. According to the U.S.
State Department of Agriculture, food insecurity without hunger
(also known as mild food insecurity) is based on reports of
reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet; Food
insecurity with hunger is based on reports of multiple
indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced f