scholarly journals Food insecurity, coping strategies and glucose control in low-income patients with diabetes

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1103-1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria L Mayer ◽  
Kevin McDonough ◽  
Hilary Seligman ◽  
Nandita Mitra ◽  
Judith A Long

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the relationship between food insecurity and coping strategies (actions taken to manage economic stress) hypothesized to worsen glucose control in patients with diabetes.DesignUsing a cross-sectional telephone survey and clinical data, we compared food-insecure and food-secure individuals in their use of coping strategies. Using logistic regression models, we then examined the association between poor glucose control (glycated Hb, HbA1c≥8·0 %), food insecurity and coping strategies.SettingAn urban medical centre, between June and December 2013.SubjectsFour hundred and seven adults likely to be low income (receiving Medicaid or uninsured and/or residing in a zip code with >30 % of the population below the federal poverty level) with type 2 diabetes.ResultsOf respondents, 40·5 % were food insecure. A significantly higher percentage of the food-insecure group reported use of most examined coping strategies, including foregone medical care, participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)) and use of emergency food programmes. Food insecurity was associated with poor glucose control (OR=2·23; 95 % CI 1·22, 4·10); coping strategies that were more common among the food insecure were not associated with poor glucose control. Among the food insecure, receipt of SNAP was associated with lower risk of poor glucose control (OR=0·27; 95 % CI 0·09, 0·80).ConclusionsWhile food insecurity was associated with poor glucose control, most examined coping strategies did not explain this relationship. However, receipt of SNAP among food-insecure individuals was associated with better diabetes control, suggesting that such programmes may play a role in improving health.

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 645-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy W Leung ◽  
Eduardo Villamor

AbstractObjectivePublic assistance programmes may increase risk of obesity among adults. The current study assessed whether participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; formerly the Food Stamp Program), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or California Work Opportunities and Responsibilities to Kids (CalWorks) was associated with obesity, independent of socio-economic status and food insecurity.DesignA cross-sectional analysis of the 2007 Adult California Health Interview Survey. Outcome measures included BMI and obesity. Distribution of BMI and prevalence of obesity were compared by participation in each programme, using weighted linear and binomial regression models in which BMI or obesity was the outcome, respectively, and programme participation was the predictor.SettingA population survey of various health measures.SubjectsNon-institutionalized adults (n 7741) whose household income was ≤130 % of the federal poverty level.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity was 27·4 %. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, food insecurity and participation in other programmes, the prevalence of obesity was 30 % higher in SNAP participants (95 % CI 6 %, 59 %; P = 0·01) than in non-participants. This association was more pronounced among men than women. SSI participation was related to an adjusted 50 % higher prevalence of obesity (95 % CI 27 %, 77 %; P < 0·0001) compared with no participation. SNAP and SSI participants also reported higher soda consumption than non-participants of any programme. CalWorks participation was not associated with obesity after multivariable adjustment.ConclusionsParticipation in SNAP or SSI was associated with obesity independent of food insecurity or socio-economic status. The suggestion that these associations may be mediated by dietary quality warrants further investigation among low-income populations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Molitor ◽  
Celeste Doerr ◽  
John Pugliese ◽  
Lauren Whetstone

AbstractObjective:To examine trends from 2015 to 2017 in dietary behaviours and diet quality among low-income mothers, teenagers and children.Design:Cross-sectional telephone surveys using a validated 24 h dietary assessment.Setting:Randomly sampled households with incomes ≤185 % of the US federal poverty level across California.Participants:Survey participants were 13 247 mothers (≥18 years), 3293 teenagers (12–17 years) and 6043 children (5–11 years). Respondents were mostly Latino.Results:Over the 3-year study period, consumption of fruits and vegetables with and without 100 % fruit juice increased (P ≤ 0·05) by at least 0·3 cups/d for mothers, teenagers and children. Intake of water also increased (P ≤ 0·001) by more than 1 cup/d for mothers and children and 2 cups/d for teenagers. Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption was unchanged over the 3 years. Overall diet quality, as assessed by the Healthy Eating Index-2015, improved (P ≤ 0·01) for mothers, teenagers and children. Covariates for the fifteen regression models (three age groups by five outcome variables) included race/ethnicity, age, education for mothers, and gender for teenagers and children.Conclusions:The observed increases in fruit and vegetable intake and improvements in overall diet quality during the 3-year period suggest that low-income Californians may have lowered their risk of preventable diseases. However, more intense or strategic SSB-reduction interventions are required. Regional- or state-level, population-based surveillance of dietary behaviours is useful for public health nutrition policy and programme decision making, and can be used to assess potential trends in future negative health outcomes and related costs associated with poor dietary behaviours within at-risk populations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Smith ◽  
Chandra R. Story ◽  
Korissa C. Hobbs ◽  
Tyler Bos ◽  
Garvita Thareja

Food insecurity is a serious public health problem among college students, negatively affecting academic performance and health outcomes. The primary objective of the study involved the exploration of the potential association between food insecurity and carotenoid scan levels. Additionally, the association between food insecurity and coping strategies utilized was investigated. A Qualtrics survey and BioPhotonic Scanner™ were utilized to conduct an exploratory cross-sectional study with students from a mid-size four-year university (n=410). The USDA food security definitions and assessment tools were used for categorization. More than 31% percent of participants were classified as food insecure, with 5.1% considered very low and 26.6% low food security. A statistically significant factor associated with food insecurity was ethnicity (OR= .19). Other factors included: skipped buying textbooks to buy food (OR=.09), avoided buying expensive foods like fruits and vegetables (OR=.24), stretched food by limiting (OR= .09), removed spoiled parts from fruits and vegetables (OR= .73). Carotenoid scan scores were not associated with food insecurity. Coping strategies are often used by food insecure students and should be further examined to pinpoint promising strategies.


2021 ◽  
pp. 003335492097466
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Pooler ◽  
Mithuna Srinivasan ◽  
Zachary Miller ◽  
Paula Mian

Objective Ensuring access to sufficient foods at all times is critical to veterans’ health and well-being. Food insecurity has not been well explored in the veteran population. We examined the prevalence and predictors of food insecurity among low-income veterans, because the highest rates of food insecurity are among low-income households. We also examined rates of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation among subgroups at the highest risk of food insecurity. Methods We used univariate analyses and 2011-2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data on veterans aged ≥21 with family incomes <200% of the federal poverty level to estimate the prevalence of food insecurity. We used bivariate analyses to identify correlates of food insecurity and estimate SNAP participation rates among subgroups of low-income veterans. Percentages were weighted using NHIS survey weights. Results Of 5146 low-income veterans, 22.5% reported being food insecure in the previous month. Food insecurity was significantly associated with being aged <65 (33.0% aged 45-64 and 29.7% aged 21-44) compared with 15.0% and 6.4% among veterans aged 65-74 and ≥75, respectively ( P < .001); unemployed compared with employed or not in the labor force (39.4%, 22.7%, and 20.2%, respectively; P < .001); in fair or poor health compared with good, very good, or excellent heath (31.8% vs 18.2%; P < .001); and having experienced serious psychological distress in the past month (56.3%) compared with not having experienced such distress (19.7%; P < .001). Although overall SNAP participation among low-income veterans was estimated to be 27.0%, participation rates were highest among veterans who had experienced serious psychological distress (44.1%), were unemployed (39.2%), and were renting their home (39.0%). Conclusions Some low-income veterans are at greater risk of food insecurity than other veterans. Postseparation programs, civilian support services, and veterans’ health providers should be aware of the characteristics that place veterans at highest risk of food insecurity.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (17) ◽  
pp. 3197-3209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M Rukundo ◽  
Arne Oshaug ◽  
Bård A Andreassen ◽  
Joyce Kikafunda ◽  
Byaruhanga Rukooko ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the nutritional situation of the victims of the 2010 landslide disaster in Uganda, food varieties consumed and coping strategies were assessed.DesignCross-sectional. Food variety scores (FVS) were obtained as the total of food items eaten over the last week while an index was based on severity weighting of household food insecurity coping strategies. We included 545 affected and 533 control households.SettingVictims in the affected Bududa district in Eastern Uganda and those victims resettled in the Kiryandongo district, Western Uganda.ResultsAdjusted for covariates, in Bududa significantly higher mean FVS were observed among: affected than controls; farmers than others; and relief food recipients. Control households scored higher means (se) on severity of coping: 28·6 (1·3) v. 19·2 (1·2; P<0·01). In Kiryandongo, significantly higher FVS were observed among: control households; household heads educated above primary school; those with assets that complement food source; and recipients of relief food. Severity of coping was significantly higher among affected households and non-recipients of relief food. Affected households had a higher likelihood to skip a day without eating a household meal in Bududa (OR=2·31; 95 % CI 1·62, 3·29; P<0·01) and Kiryandongo (OR=1·77; 95 % CI 1·23, 2·57; P<0·01).ConclusionsWhereas FVS and severity of coping showed opposite trends in the two districts, resettlement into Kiryandongo led to severe coping experiences. Administrative measures that provide a combination of relief food, social protection and resettlement integration may offset undesirable coping strategies affecting diet.


Author(s):  
Akinbule Oluwafunke Opeyemi ◽  
Okekhian Kindness Lovely ◽  
Omidiran Adebukola Tolulope

Background: High prevalence of food insecurity experienced by many households in developing countries predisposes them to adopting coping strategies (CSs), some of which may put them at risk of malnutrition. This study assessed the household food insecurity status and CSs in Abeokuta. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was adopted. A total of 250 households were randomly selected in all communities in Odeda Local Government Area, Abeokuta. Interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data. Household food insecurity (HFI) status and coping strategy were assessed using HFI experience scale and CS index questionnaires. The CSs were categorised as food, financial as well as both food and financial compromization. Data were reported by frequencies and percentages. Chi-square was run to determine the association among variables at P <0.05. Results: The majority (84.4%) of respondents were food insecure, of whom 26.5%, 35.5%, and 22.4% were food insecure mildly, moderately, and severely, respectively.  Moreover, 99.6% took loan, sold sheep and goat, ate once a day, ate rice without stew, sold hen and turkey, took food loan, and reduced food quality and quantity as CS. A significant association exists between CS categories and food insecurity status (P < 0.001). In addition, access to land (P = 0.00), farm (P = 0.04), paved-road (P = 0.01), information (P = 0.04), and market (P = 0.01) were significantly associated with HFI status. Conclusion: The prevalence of food insecurity was high and most households adopted CS that reduced both food quality and quantity and could adversely affect their nutritional status and predisposed them to multiple forms of malnutrition.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J Landry ◽  
Alexandra E van den Berg ◽  
Fiona M Asigbee ◽  
Sarvenaz Vandyousefi ◽  
Reem Ghaddar ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background There is a need to directly and accurately conceptualize and measure food insecurity in children as part of surveillance and public health efforts. Objective The aim of this study was to compare parent and child perceptions of child-level food security status via questionnaires within a large, ethnically diverse population. Methods Cross-sectional baseline data from a cluster-randomized controlled trial involving primarily low-income, Hispanic third- to fifth-grade students and their parents were used for analysis. The sample consisted of 2408 dyadic (parent and child) pairs. Parents completed the 8-item child-referenced Household Food Security Survey Module and their responses were compared with an adaption of the 5-item Child Food Security Assessment completed by their child. Levels of association between child and parent perceptions within dyads were calculated using Goodman and Kruskal's γ statistic. A mixed-effects binomial logistic regression model was used to model discordance as a function of child, parent, and household sociodemographic characteristics. Results The child sample was 53% girls, mean age of 9 y, and 63% were Hispanic. The parent sample was 86% women and 65% Hispanic. Child and parent perceptions of child-level food security agreed only 21.7% of the time. There was a weak positive association between child and parent perceptions of child-level food security (γ = 0.162, P < 0.001). Children perceived themselves as less food secure than their parents’ perception 70.1% of the time. Household receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits was associated with greater odds of discordant food security perceptions, whereas female children, older children, and parents not working were characteristics associated with lower odds of discordant perceptions. Conclusions Results, in combination with the existing literature, suggest that parent perceptions of child-level food insecurity may underestimate child-level food insecurity experiences. Inaccurate estimations or underestimations of the true prevalence of child-level food insecurity could be detrimental to maternal and child health efforts. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02668744.


Background: According to the growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes, the present study aimed to predict adherence to treatment based on social support variables and coping strategies to reduce the severity of this disease. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 392 men and women with type 2 diabetes were evaluated using purposeful and convenient sampling. Wax social support and the Blings and Moss coping strategies questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22), descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, and mean), and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis). Results: The results indicated that the correlation between the subscales of social support and coping strategies with adherence to drug therapy was significant (P<.01). These measures could predict more than 27%) 27.1( of changes in compliance with drug treatment. Conclusion: Social support and coping strategies can be two effective factors in promoting self-care behaviors and adherence to treatment in patients with diabetes. Including these strategies in educational, treatment, and care programs improves health and reduces long-term complications of the disease to increase the life expectancy of patients.


Author(s):  
Harry Adynski ◽  
Todd A. Schwartz ◽  
Hudson P Santos

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity affects 15 million households in the United States and is associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes including Major Depressive Disorder. Governmental public assistance or food benefit programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are social intervention services that attempt to minimize food insecurity for low-income households. There is little consensus regarding the effects of food benefit participation on reducing risk of depressive symptoms. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the association between household food insecurity and food benefit participation (SNAP or WIC) on risk for depressive symptoms using nationally representative samples from the Center for Disease and Control and Prevention Nutritional Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 cohorts. We hypothesize that food insecurity is associated with increased risk of depressive symptoms and food benefit participation with reduced risk. METHOD: Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using survey-weighted logistic regression to explore the relationship between food insecurity, food benefit participation, and the risk of depressive symptoms controlling for relevant income and sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: When controlling for sociodemographic variables, food benefit participation did not reduce the risk of depressive symptoms, while high levels of food insecurity were associated with elevated risk. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of food insecurity are associated with elevated risk of depressive symptoms. Nurses and public health professionals can address food security needs through increased knowledge of referral and eligibility requirements. Implications on clinical practice, policy, and future directions for research are discussed.


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