Undiagnosed prediabetes among food insecure adults

Am J Health Behav. 2014 Mar;38(2):225-33. doi: 10.5993/AJHB.38.2.8.

Abstract

Objectives: To identify sub-populations at risk for diabetes based on having prediabetes. Although food insecurity has been linked to diabetes, to our knowledge, no studies have examined whether food insecure individuals are more likely than fully food secure individuals to have undiagnosed prediabetes.

Methods: This study was based on a cross-sectional analysis of 6577 adults in the 2005-08 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. USDA's Food Security Survey Module, self-reported prediabetes status and clinical measures were examined.

Results: Whereas men who were food insecure were more likely than fully food secure men to have undiagnosed prediabetes, no association was observed among women.

Conclusion: Prediabetes screening appears warranted for food insecure men.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Food Supply / standards
  • Food Supply / statistics & numerical data*
  • Health Status Indicators
  • Healthcare Disparities*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Poverty / statistics & numerical data
  • Prediabetic State / diagnosis
  • Prediabetic State / epidemiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Report
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Class*
  • United States
  • Young Adult