The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on child nutrition and health in the UK: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: The cost-of-living crisis in the UK has emerged as a significant public health challenge, disproportionately affecting child nutrition and health. Rising inflation, economic instability, recent geopolitical events and the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated food insecurity and worsened health outcomes, particularly among low- income families. with GDP decreasing by 11% in 2020, further exacerbating the cost-of- living challenges for many households. Economic hardship often forces families to rely on cheaper, less nutritious food options, resulting in malnutrition or obesity among children. Purpose: This systematic review aims to examine the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on child nutrition and health in the UK, focusing on identifying key challenges such as increased food insecurity, malnutrition, and worsening mental health outcomes, while highlighting the need for effective policy interventions. Methods: Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, this review analysed studies from 2004 to 2024, focusing on children aged 0-17 years in the UK. The review employed the PICOS framework to define inclusion criteria, incorporating various study designs including cohort studies, grey literature, and cross-sectional studies. A comprehensive search across databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar identified 14 studies that met the inclusion criteria, providing a broad perspective on the issue. Results: The review revealed that the cost-of-living crisis has significantly impacted child nutrition, with increased food insecurity leading to malnutrition, and other adverse health outcomes. Mental health issues, particularly anxiety and depression, have also escalated among children in low-income families. Additionally, regional disparities in health outcomes were identified, with children in the most deprived areas experiencing worse health compared to those in more affluent regions. Conclusion: The findings underscore the urgent need for robust policy interventions to strengthen social safety nets, enhance access to nutritious food, and ensure equitable healthcare access. Future research would focus on longitudinal studies to assess the long-term health outcomes of affected children and evaluate the effectiveness of different policy interventions. The urgency of these findings calls for immediate action to safeguard the health and wellbeing of vulnerable children in the UK.