ISU researchers have published a study on the connection between food insecurity and obesity among children, which begs the question: Who’s to blame?

The study, which was published in the February issue of the Journal of Nutrition, examined the relationship between food security – defined as having enough food for a healthy, active lifestyle – and “overweight status.”

Brenda J. Lohman, assistant professor of human development and family studies and one of the researchers who contributed to the study, said the findings were significant because the study focused on the correlation between the individual child in a low-income household and his or her food security, while other studies looked at the food security of the entire household. This specification made the difference, as the current study found no connection between the child and food insecurity, whereas studies in the past that looked at the entire household did find a connection.

“That is a common theory used to support why children are overweight, and our research shows that what past research has suggested is not true,” Lohman said.

Because no connection was found between food security and obesity in children, the group that conducted the study plans to conduct more studies to find what other aspects may affect obesity.

“We were just looking at one aspect,” Lohman said of food security. “We think nutrition and exercise have a great deal of impact on obesity and need to be looked at and assessed.”

Lohman also took part in a larger study investigating the Personal Responsibilities and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and its effects on low-income children in San Antonio, Boston and Chicago.

The more recent study that was published in the journal is just one component of the larger study, Lohman said. She also noted that she provided the information from the larger study to assist in the current research findings.

The group plans to research such impacts on obesity with a grant that will allow them to research through 2010.

Sally Barclay, clinician in food science and human nutrition, agreed there are more factors leading to child obesity, including food insecurity.

“When we think about somebody being overweight, you can look at the actual food intake, activity level and what is accessible to families,” Barclay said. “It’s really a complex problem where we can’t pin it to one particular thing.”

Although child obesity is a multifaceted problem, the basis of the issue boils down to one thing – children are taking in more than their bodies are using. Other factors that have fueled child obesity include sedentary lifestyles and a lack of responsibility on adults’ parts to provide their children with nutritional meals on a regular basis.

“I think the computer and video games definitely contribute to the problem – you never see kids running around playing in the neighborhood anymore,” Barclay said. “I think a lot of it also has to do with our busy lifestyles. I think adults need to take more of an active role and need to be out there with the kids being active, especially with kids that are younger.

“You can’t just shove them out the door and tell them to do something – it’s more beneficial to go out together and do an activity .”