Food security is one of the important factors that influence health and well-being throughout the life cycle. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship between household (HH) food security status and anthropometric indices at birth and before 6-years-of age among children in a low income community in Mashhad city. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 240 Iranian HHs which had at least one under 6-year old child were selected through systematic cluster sampling. Height and

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... ght of children were measured. Also, their length and weight at birth were collected from their vaccination certificate. Anthropometric status (based on z-scores) of children were evaluated by WHO Anthro-Plus software. Results: Severe, moderate, and mild food insecurity was observed in 7.1, 20, and 34.2% of the HHs, respectively. A significant association was observed between HH food insecurity and average height of their under 6-year-old children. There was no association between HH food insecurity and children's measurements at birth (P > 0.05). Comparison of anthropometric status at birth and between 1 to 6 years of age in food secure and insecure groups based on Wilcoxon test, showed a significant difference between z-scores of weight for age (WAZ) and body mass index (BMI) for age (BAZ) in children from food insecure HHs. Conclusions: The results suggest that children in food insecure HHs do not necessarily have abnormal weight and length at birth, but growing up in a food insecure HH may lead to abnormal anthropometric status. Proper strategies to ensure food security in low income HHs may help to prevent child undernutrition.