Diet and Food Insecurity Among Residents of a Rural County. (7th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jarvandi, Soghra; Johnson, Kristen; Franck, Karen
• Is Part Of: Current developments in nutrition. Volume 5(2021)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 135
• Page End: 135
• Publication Date: 2021-06-07
• Subjects: Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutrition; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 612.3
• DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzab035_043
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2475-2991

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Rural residents are more likely to experience food insecurity and the related risks for obesity than urban residents. The objective of this study was to explore the association between dietary intake and food insecurity in a sample of residents of a rural county in Tennessee. Methods: We used data from an obesity prevention program in a rural county in Tennessee. Adults were recruited to complete a survey, via telephone or online, about lifestyle behaviors. Dietary data were collected using the 26-item National Cancer Institute (NCI) food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Household food security was assessed using the USDA six-item Short Form Food Security Survey Module. Respondents were classified as 'food secure' or 'food insecure'. We used multiple regression models to assess the association between dietary intake (dependent variable) and food security (independent variable) in men and women separately. Models were controlled for age, race, and body mass index. Results: Data from 448 surveys were included in the analysis. The respondents' mean ± SD age was 55 ± 18 years, 60% were female, and 66% were White. Overall, the average daily intake was less than 2 cups equivalents for vegetables (1.54 ± 0.43), less than 1 cup equivalents for fruits (0.92 ± 0.40), and more than 15 teaspoons equivalents for added sugars (16.06 ± 6.36). In multiple regression models, household food insecurity was associated with lower intake of vegetables both in men (mean ± SE, secure vs. insecure 1.76 ± 0.05 vs. 1.57 ± 0.07, P = 0.02) and in women (1.42 ± 0.03 vs. 1.30 ± 0.04, P = 0.01). Household food insecurity was associated with higher intake of added sugars in women (16.74 ± 0.56 vs. 14.87 ± 0.43, P = 0.009), but not in men. Conclusions: Food insecurity was a predictor of lower intake of fruits and vegetables among men and women, and higher intake of added sugars among women. These findings highlight the need to address food insecurity in rural areas by improving access to nutritious food. Funding Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC).