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. 2021 Sep-Oct;136(5):618-625.
doi: 10.1177/0033354920974662. Epub 2021 Jan 21.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Food Insecurity Among Low-Income US Military Veterans

Jennifer A Pooler  1 , Mithuna Srinivasan  2 , Zachary Miller  1 , Paula Mian  2
Affiliations

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Food Insecurity Among Low-Income US Military Veterans

Jennifer A Pooler et al. Public Health Rep. 2021 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: National Health Interview Survey; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; food insecurity; low income; veterans.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure
Figure
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation among selected subgroups of low-income veterans at high risk for food insecurity, National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), 2011-2017. Percentages are unadjusted estimates of SNAP participation for selected subgroups calculated using NHIS survey weights; error bars show variability in the estimates.
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