An increase in food insecurity could be linked to an increase in:
A high-birthweight babies.
B low-birthweight babies.
C education.
D teen pregnancy.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: B. Low-birthweight babies
Explanation (300 words):
Food insecurity refers to the lack of consistent access to enough nutritious food for an active and healthy life. It often leads to poor dietary intake, inadequate nutrient consumption, and chronic stress, all of which can significantly affect health outcomes—especially among vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and young children.
One major consequence of food insecurity is an increase in the incidence of low-birthweight babies (those born weighing less than 2,500 grams or 5.5 pounds). Pregnant women facing food insecurity may not get the necessary nutrients like iron, folic acid, protein, and vitamins essential for fetal development. Malnutrition during pregnancy can impair placental function, restrict fetal growth, and increase the likelihood of premature birth, which are all risk factors for low birthweight.
In addition to nutritional deficiencies, the stress associated with food insecurity can affect hormonal and immune systems, contributing further to poor pregnancy outcomes. Chronic stress elevates levels of cortisol, which has been linked to preterm labor and reduced fetal growth.
In contrast, food insecurity is not typically associated with an increase in high-birthweight babies (A), as excessive fetal growth is more often linked to overnutrition or gestational diabetes. Education (C) is generally decreased—not increased—when families face food insecurity, as it is linked to poverty and lack of resources. Teen pregnancy (D) can be influenced by broader social determinants like lack of education and poverty, which may overlap with food insecurity, but it is not a direct consequence of it in the same way low birthweight is.
Therefore, low birthweight is the most direct and well-supported outcome linked to increased food insecurity, making B the correct and evidence-based answer.