Food assistance in pregnancy reduces complications

Providing food assistance to people who are food insecure during pregnancy can lower the risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm birth and neonatal intensive care unit admission, a JAMA Network Open study found. The researchers administered a survey between June 22, 2020 and Sept. 9, 2022 at a California health system. Among 19,338 individuals, 14% reported food insecurity during pregnancy. The 7.6% of individuals who received food assistance reduced their risk of complications except for preeclampsia. However, those who were food insecure but did not receive assistance remained at higher risk for complications. The authors say their findings support clinical guidelines to screen for food insecurity in pregnancy and offer evidence to expand food assistance programs to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. (JAMA Network Open article, 1/23/25)