Food insecurity and food choices in rural older adults with diabetes receiving nutrition education via telemedicine.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate differences between rural older adults with diabetes reporting the presence or absence of food insecurity with respect to meal planning, preparation, shopping, obesity, and glycemic control after receiving nutrition counseling through telemedicine.


METHODS
Food insecurity data were obtained by telephone survey (n=74). Group differences for continuous variables were measured by t tests; categorical variables by Pearson chi-square tests.


RESULTS
Participants reporting mild food insecurity (23%) had higher body mass index (35.5±7.1 kg/m2 vs 30.5±6.0 kg/m2, P=.01) and lower household incomes (P=.03) and were more likely to consider cost of ingredients in food preparation compared to food-secure participants (P=.03). Most purchased fresh produce (97%) and considered the dietitian's advice when purchasing food. Both groups report similar adherence to dietitians' advice and had similar glycemic control.


CONCLUSIONS
Strategies to address higher levels of obesity associated with food insecurity are needed.
Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Daria R
DR
Homenko
Philip C
PC
Morin
Joseph P
JP
Eimicke
Jeanne A
JA
Teresi
Ruth S
RS
Weinstock
D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D004522:Educational Status; D058620:Elder Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005523:Food Supply / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism; D012424:Rural Population; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*