Ready-to-Eat Cereal Intake is Associated with an Improved Nutrient Intake Profile among Food Insecure Children in the United States

Food insecurity affects a significant percentage of US children. Food insecurity affects households through limited intake and by reducing dietary quality. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between consumption of ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal and nutrient intake, the Healthy Eating Index, and adiposity by food secure status in children. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2008 were analyzed to categorize children ages 4 to 12 as either food secure or not food secure and as either those who eat cereal or those who do not eat cereal. Results indicated that cereal consumption was associated with a better nutrient intake profile and Healthy Eating Index for food secure and nonsecure children. Enhanced nutrient intake was greater among the food insecure children who ate cereal relative to food insecure children who did not eat cereal. These results suggest that access to foods rich in nutrition but low in cost, such as RTE cereal, may positively impact the nutritional effects of food insecurity.