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


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.
Gucciardi
Enza
E
Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. egucciar@ryerson.ca
Vogt
Janet A
JA
DeMelo
Margaret
M
Stewart
Donna E
DE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004651:Employment; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D010465:Perception; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology