title: Food insecurity is associated with unhealthy dietary practices among US veterans in California.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  US veterans (hereafter, 'veterans') are at risk for being overweight or obese and associated unhealthy behaviours, including poor diet; although limited studies have examined the underlying factors associated with such outcomes. As such, the present study evaluated the association between food insecurity and dietary practices among veterans.
  
  
  METHODS
  A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the California Health Interview Survey (2009, 2011/2012) was conducted. Survey weights were applied to identify univariate means, population estimates and weighted percentages. Bivariate analyses followed by survey-weighted negative binomial regression were used to model the association between food insecurity and dietary practices of fruit, vegetable, fast food and soda intakes.
  
  
  METHODS
  California Health Interview Survey 2009-2011/2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study included a total of 11 011 veterans from California.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly 5 % of the studied veteran population reported living in poverty with food insecurity. Compared with those at or above the poverty level and those in poverty but food secure, the mean intakes of fruits and vegetables were lower, while the mean intakes of soda and fast foods (P for trend <0·05) were higher among veterans living in poverty with food insecurity. Food insecurity was associated with 24 and 142 % higher average consumption of fast foods and soda, respectively, and 24 % lower fruit intake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Food insecurity remains a burden among veterans and is associated with unhealthy dietary practices. Targeted interventions to improve diet quality are imperative.
authors: 1Department of Health Science and Human Ecology,California State University,San Bernardino,5500 University Parkway,San Bernardino,CA 92407,USA.
authors: Monideepa B
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6075-6270
authors: MB
authors: Becerra
authors: 2Department of Psychology,California State University,San Bernardino,San Bernardino, CA,USA.
authors: Christina M
authors: CM
authors: Hassija
authors: 3School of Allied Health Professions,Loma Linda University,Loma Linda,CA,USA.
authors: Benjamin J
authors: BJ
authors: Becerra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002253:Carbonated Beverages; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D057140:Fast Foods; D005260:Female; D063105:Food Assistance; D005523:Food Supply; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014675:Vegetables; D014728:Veterans; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: California Health Interview Survey; Diet; Food insecurity; Veterans