Food insecurity and dyslipidemia in a representative population-based sample in the US

Abstract

Objective The association of food insecurity with dyslipidemia has not been firmly established. The main objective of this study was to assess whether food insecurity was associated with dyslipidemia. Method A population-based sample of 1,663 adults from the 2008–2011 Survey of the Health of Wisconsin was used. Food insecurity was defined as an affirmative response to either of the questions: 1) “In the last 12 months, have you been concerned about having enough food for you or your family?” 2) “In the last 12 months, have your food choices been limited because there wasn’t enough money?” High total cholesterol was defined as total cholesterol (TC) >240 mg/dL or taking prescribed lipid-lowering medication. Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was defined as <40 mg/dL in men and <50 mg/dL in women. Results Food insecurity was not associated with high TC either among men or women. Food insecurity was associated with a higher likelihood of low HDL-C among women (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.31 {95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42, 3.76}), but not among men. Obesity appears to be a partial mediator of the association among women (P from the Sobel test= 0.01). Conclusion These findings suggest that food insecurity may contribute to an increased risk of low HDL-C in women.

Food insecurity and cardiovascular health: Findings from a statewide population health survey in Wisconsin

“…In addition, food insecurity was significantly associated with lower odds of “ideal” diet and physical activity, but had no significant relation with other factors. Our finding that food insecure individuals are less likely to have a healthy diet is consistent with previous literature (Mello et al, 2010) as well as with our own previous findings showing its association with obesity and dyslipidemia (Shin et al, 2015). …”

“…Elucidating these social factors and their associations with people’s health represents an ongoing challenge in modern medicine which will hopefully lead to collaborative efforts and solutions that extend beyond the boundaries of traditional clinical medicine. Food security might be one of the upstream risk factors that have an effect on cardiovascular health (Abeyta et al, 2012; Seligman et al, 2007, 2010; Shin et al, 2015). Given the impact of food security on an individual’s health, health care organizations and providers, especially primary care providers, should consider screening and targeting food security as part of the standard of care, provided that this is done using a patient and family-centered approach and with consideration of available resources for referral to a social worker or social service program when appropriate (Garg et al, 2016).…”

“…Studies have shown that the prevalence of diabetes is higher among food-insecure adults than food-secure adults (Seligman et al, 2007, 2010). In a recent population-based study, we showed that food insecurity was associated with dyslipidemia (Shin et al, 2015). Additionally, it has been demonstrated in the literature that food-insecure adults tend to have lower quality diet and higher prevalence of smoking than food-secure adults (Rose and Oliveira, 1997; Armour et al, 2008; Cutler-Triggs et al, 2008; Xu et al, 2011).…”

The Australian Aboriginal Birth Cohort study: socio‐economic status at birth and cardiovascular risk factors to 25 years of age

“…Relatively high food prices in remote communities, combined with low incomes, cause food insecurity . In American studies, food insecurity has been associated with lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels . Even short periods of low income reduce dietary quality among remote Indigenous Australians; the most notable differences between periods of high and low money availability are in energy intake, the proportions of energy provided by fats and carbohydrates, and the ratio of sodium to potassium intake .…”

Lipid and Diabetic Profiles of School Teachers in Afghanistan Facing Food Insecurity and Their Association with Knowledge Relating to Healthy Lifestyle

“…Some studies address associations between food insecurity and chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, according to self-reported illness history [4]. However, only a limited number of studies reported results of biomedical indicators of NCDs in relation to food insecurity [12]. Therefore, studies analyzing both biomedical indicators of NCDs and of measurements of food insecurity need to be undertaken.…”