Exploration of the relationship between household food insecurity and diabetes in Canada

Abstract

Objective: To determine the household food insecurity (HFI) prevalence in Canadians with diabetes and its relationship with diabetes management, self-care practices, and health status.

Research design and methods: We analyzed data from Canadians with diabetes aged >or=12 years (n = 6,237) from cycle 3.1 of the Canadian Community Health Survey, a population-based cross-sectional survey conducted in 2005. The HFI prevalence in Canadians with diabetes was compared with that in those without diabetes. The relationships between HFI and management services, self-care practices, and health status were examined for Ontarians with diabetes (n = 2,523).

Results: HFI was more prevalent among individuals with diabetes (9.3% [8.2-10.4]) than among those without diabetes (6.8% [6.5-7.0]) and was not associated with diabetes management services but was associated with physical inactivity (odds ratio 1.54 [95% CI 1.10-2.17]), lower fruit and vegetable consumption (0.52 [0.33-0.81]), current smoking (1.71 [1.09-2.69]), unmet health care needs (2.71 [1.74-4.23]), having been an overnight patient (2.08 [1.43-3.04]), having a mood disorder (2.18 [1.54-3.08]), having effects from a stroke (2.39 [1.32-4.32]), lower satisfaction with life (0.28 [0.18-0.43]), self-rated general (0.37 [0.21-0.66]) and mental (0.17 [0.10-0.29]) health, and higher self-perceived stress (2.04 [1.30-3.20]). The odds of HFI were higher for an individual in whom diabetes was diagnosed at age <40 years (3.08 [1.96-4.84]).

Conclusions: HFI prevalence is higher among Canadians with diabetes and is associated with an increased likelihood of unhealthy behaviors, psychological distress, and poorer physical health.