O2058: Nourishing Hearts: The Link Between Food Insecurity and Overall Health Status of Children with Congenital Heart Disease in U.S.

Background: Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) require specialized medical care and may be at higher risk for adverse health outcomes if they experience food insecurity (FI). FI is linked to poor nutrition, increased hospitalizations, and developmental delays in children, which can further complicate the health challenges faced by those with CHD. However, limited research has explored the specific impact of FI on children with CHD, particularly in terms of their overall health status. This study examines the socioeconomic factors associated with FI and their impact on the overall health status of children with CHD.

Methods: The 2023 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) data were used to compare rates of FI between children ages < 17 years with and without CHD and to assess the overall health status of those with CHD. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariable logistic regression were utilized.

Results: A total of 53,477 children were included, with 1,233(2%) having CHD. FI was reported in 438(35%) of CHD compared to 14,244(27%) in those without (p=0.005). After adjustment, children with CHD had an odds ratio of 1.49(95%CI: 1.05-2.12) of experiencing FI compared to non-CHD children. Hispanic children had significantly higher odds of experiencing FI compared to Non-Hispanic White children. FI was significantly higher in the Midwest and South regions of the US than in the West. Households with lower education levels, including those with a high school diploma, a GED, or some college or associate's degree, had higher odds of experiencing FI compared to those with a college degree or higher. Children born in U.S. and living with caregiver(s) had an increased odds of experiencing FI. A lower poverty index was also strongly associated with a higher likelihood of FI. Additionally, households that received food stamps or WIC benefits in the past 12 months were more likely to experience FI, which may reflect their pre-existing economic vulnerability. In contrast, living in a grandparent household and having an older adult as the first household member were both associated with lower odds of experiencing FI.(Table1)
In the subgroup analysis, 67(5%) children with CHD reported fair/poor health status. After adjustment, children with CHD experiencing FI were more likely to report fair/poor health status compared to those without FI [odds ratio: 3.91(95% CI: 1.70-9.02); p = 0.001].(Figure1)

Conclusion: This study highlights the impact of FI on children with CHD, with adjusted analysis showing higher odds of FI in this group vs. children without CHD. Several demographic and socioeconomic factors were strongly associated with an increased likelihood of FI. Additionally, FI was strongly linked to worse health status reporting in children with CHD. Targeted interventions to reduce FI and improve socioeconomic conditions in this high-risk group are crucial for better health outcomes and reducing disparities.