Date of Award

January 2014

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Rafael Perez-Escamilla

Second Advisor

Teresa Shamah-Levy

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association of household food insecurity (HFI) with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in a nationally representative cross-sectional sample from Mexico of women of reproductive age (12-49 years old).

Material and Methods: We tested the association between HFI and IDA among 16,944 women of reproductive age using multiple logistic regression. HFI was measured using the Latin America and the Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA). IDA was measured with capillary hemoglobin using HemoCue photometer and defined using the WHO standards.

Results: Multivariate analyses showed that adjusted odds for IDA were 33% and 36% higher among living in moderately and severely food insecure households (vs. food secure households), respectively.

Conclusion: HFI was a risk factor for IDA. Targeting HFI may be an effective way to reduce the risk of IDA among Mexican women.

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

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