Food Insecurity’s Relationship with Children’s BMI and General Anesthesia

Abstract Purpose: Children from food insecure (FI) households often consume more calorie-dense, cariogenic foods, leading to higher BMI and increased risk for dental caries requiring treatment under general anesthesia (GA). This study hypothesizes that FI children are associated with higher BMI and increased need for GA. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with patients aged 3–17 receiving dental care at UIC COD. Legal guardians completed a survey during the child’s exam. Data on caries status, BMI, and GA need were collected from electronic records. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed (significance set at p<0.05). Results: The study included 251 children (median age 7.0 years, 55% female, 61% Hispanic/Latino). Of the households, 67% had low and 26% had very low food security. Among participants, 56% were of healthy weight, while 41% were overweight or obese. GA was required for 38% of patients. No significant association was found between FI and BMI (p=0.660) or FI and GA need (p=0.089). However, subgroup analysis suggested a potential association between FI and BMI, particularly among Black participants. Conclusions: This study found no significant association between FI and BMI or need for GA. Nonetheless, 93% of the population experienced low or very low food security, and over 40% were overweight or obese. These findings underscore the need for broader studies across more diverse populations to better understand these relationships.