Risk of food insecurity associated with increased incidence of diabetes

According to a Washington State University study, young adults at risk of food insecurity had an increased incidence of diabetes after 10 years.

Previous studies have linked food insecurity to various health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure, but this study has shown a link over time, suggesting a causal relationship.

in the investigation, Nutrition JournalThe researchers analyzed data from approximately 4,000 people from a national longitudinal study of health from adolescence to adulthood. They said they were worried about food shortages last year. Adults aged 24-32 years have a higher incidence of diabetes, either by blood glucose testing or self-reporting, compared to adults aged 32-42. I found it expensive. Do not report the risk of food insecurity.

Looking at the data 10 years later, we see this separation in the prevalence of diabetes. People who experience the risk of food insecurity in young adulthood are more likely to develop diabetes in middle age. “

Cassandra Nguyen, lead author of research and assistant professor at the Institute for Research and Education to Promote WSU Community Health or IREACH

Although this study could not determine the exact reason for this relationship, previous studies have shown that households with food insecurity often have a low nutritional diet.

“Eating according to dietary guidelines tends to cost more, and it may take more time,” Nguyen said. “Not always available to households with restrictions such as transportation to low-cost, nutritious foods.”

Nguyen added that people experiencing food insecurity can also be involved in a negative reinforcement cycle. When food insecurity is associated with a diet that contributes to the risk of illness, it creates additional health care costs, emphasizes the economic resources of the household, and deepens food insecurity.

Although the study did not reveal differences between races or ethnic groups, the authors pointed out that the number of minorities in the sample may be too small to show a pattern.

For future work, the research team plans to investigate the risks and health problems of food insecurity within Native American and Alaska Native populations. These communities are often excluded from annual reports on food insecurity. In short, reforms in food aid programs and policies can be overlooked. Nguyen recently led a review of 30 studies that found that indigenous food insecurity estimates differed significantly, but even the lowest estimates far exceeded the prevalence of non-Hispanic white adults. increase.

Interventions such as SNAP (Supplementary Nutrition Support Program) and its educational components SNAP-Ed and EFNEP (Extended Food and Nutrition Education Program) have been shown to be effective in improving diet and health, according to Nguyen. I am. But to profit from them, you need to count people first.

“It’s really important to be able to identify individuals experiencing food insecurity, and to make sure they have the resources available so they can break the cycle,” she said. Said.

This study was all conducted by an interdisciplinary team belonging to IREACH. Nguyen and Luciana Herbert, who presented their work under their maiden name Nikolaus, are both from WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Anna Zamora-Kapoor from the Faculty of Sociology at WSU and Ka’imi Sinclair from WSU Nursing University.

This study is supported by the National Institute of Diabetes, Gastroenterology and Kidney Disease through a grant to the Diabetes Translational Research Center for American Indians and Alaska Natives.