BACKGROUND: Obesity and obesity-related comorbidities are increasing among older adults. Food insecurity is a nutrition-related factor that coexists with obesity among low-income individuals. The majority of the research on the food insecurity-obesity paradox has been conducted on low-income mothers and children, with research lacking on large diverse samples of older adults. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess gender disparities in the association between food insecurity and overweight and obesity among low-income older adults. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional 2011 and 2012 National Health Interview Survey data were used. Food insecurity status was determined by ≥3 affirmative responses on the 10-item US Department of Agriculture Food Security Scale (FSS). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention based on self-reported height and weight. PARTICIPANTS/SETTINGS: Adults included were low-income (≤1.99 federal poverty level [FPL]), older (aged ≥60 years), with a normal BMI (18.5) or greater who had complete data on FSS, BMI, and the following covariates: age, race or ethnicity, marital status, income, nativity status, physical activity, poor health status, health insurance coverage, problems paying medical bills or for medicine, and region of residency (N=5,506). STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Multivariate logistic regression models were stratified by gender to estimate the association between food insecurity and higher weight status. All models included covariates. RESULTS: In covariate-adjusted models, compared with low-income, food secure men, low-income, food-insecure men had 42% and 41% lower odds of being overweight and overweight or obese, respectively. Despite the high prevalence rate of obesity among low-income, food-insecure women, food insecurity was not significantly related to overweight, obesity, or overweight or obesity for older adult women in adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS: Food insecurity-overweight and -obesity paradox appears not to be present in older men. However, food insecurity and obesity coexist among low-income, older women.
BACKGROUND: Obesity and obesity-related comorbidities are increasing among older adults. Food insecurity is a nutrition-related factor that coexists with obesity among low-income individuals. The majority of the research on the food insecurity-obesity paradox has been conducted on low-income mothers and children, with research lacking on large diverse samples of older adults. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess gender disparities in the association between food insecurity and overweight and obesity among low-income older adults. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional 2011 and 2012 National Health Interview Survey data were used. Food insecurity status was determined by ≥3 affirmative responses on the 10-item US Department of Agriculture Food Security Scale (FSS). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention based on self-reported height and weight. PARTICIPANTS/SETTINGS: Adults included were low-income (≤1.99 federal poverty level [FPL]), older (aged ≥60 years), with a normal BMI (18.5) or greater who had complete data on FSS, BMI, and the following covariates: age, race or ethnicity, marital status, income, nativity status, physical activity, poor health status, health insurance coverage, problems paying medical bills or for medicine, and region of residency (N=5,506). STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Multivariate logistic regression models were stratified by gender to estimate the association between food insecurity and higher weight status. All models included covariates. RESULTS: In covariate-adjusted models, compared with low-income, food secure men, low-income, food-insecure men had 42% and 41% lower odds of being overweight and overweight or obese, respectively. Despite the high prevalence rate of obesity among low-income, food-insecure women, food insecurity was not significantly related to overweight, obesity, or overweight or obesity for older adult women in adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS: Food insecurity-overweight and -obesity paradox appears not to be present in older men. However, food insecurity and obesity coexist among low-income, older women.
Authors: Alison G M Brown; Layla E Esposito; Rachel A Fisher; Holly L Nicastro; Derrick C Tabor; Jenelle R Walker Journal: Transl Behav Med Date: 2019-10-01 Impact factor: 3.046
Authors: Matthew A Spinelli; Edward A Frongillo; Lila A Sheira; Kartika Palar; Phyllis C Tien; Tracey Wilson; Daniel Merenstein; Mardge Cohen; Adebola Adedimeji; Eryka Wentz; Adaora A Adimora; Lisa R Metsch; Janet M Turan; Margot B Kushel; Sheri D Weiser Journal: AIDS Behav Date: 2017-12
Authors: Simone G Fernandes; Ana M Rodrigues; Carla Nunes; Osvaldo Santos; Maria J Gregório; Rute Dinis de Sousa; Sara Dias; Helena Canhão Journal: Front Med (Lausanne) Date: 2018-07-12
Authors: António Melo; Maria Ana Matias; Sara S Dias; Maria João Gregório; Ana M Rodrigues; Rute Dinis de Sousa; Helena Canhão; Julian Perelman Journal: Public Health Nutr Date: 2019-08-06 Impact factor: 4.022