Objectives: Food insecurity has gained attention as a potential risk factor for vision impairment. However, research on this topic is limited. This objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between food insecurity and visual impairment among adults aged 50 years or older using data from six low-and middle-income countries (LMIC).
Design and setting: Data from the longitudinal Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) were analyzed in a community-based, cross-sectional, and nationally representative sample.
Participants: Adults aged 50 years or older from six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) including China, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, and Ghana.
Measurements: Food insecurity was evaluated using a questionnaire comprised of two questions that addressed the frequency of eating inadequately and hunger due to a lack of food in last 12 months. Distance and/or near vision impairment was considered as a visual acuity score of less than 6/18 in the eye with better vision.
Results: The analytical sample consisted of 29,804 adults (mean (SD) for age: 63.2 (9.54) years; 54.3% female). The prevalence of food insecurity, near vision and distance vision impairment in the sample was 16.4%, 36.7%, and 13.9%, respectively. Adjusted pooled analyses across countries revealed a significant association between food insecurity and distance (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.33; P=0.04, significant individually in India and South Africa) and near (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.22; P=0.01, significant individually in South Africa) vision impairment, and a between-country heterogeneity of 46.30% and 25.99%, respectively.
Conclusion: Food insecurity was associated with both distance and near vision impairment in adults aged 50 years or older across six LMIC. Food policies and intervention programs targeted at decreasing food insecurity in vulnerable households are essential.
Keywords: Food insecurity; LMICs; distance vision impairment; near vision impairment.