Prevalence and socioeconomic determinates of food insecurity in veterans: Findings from NHANES
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Robbins, R., Starr, K. N. P., Addison, O., Parker, E. A., Wherry, S. J., Ikpe, S., & Serra, M. C. (2023). Prevalence and socioeconomic determinates of food insecurity in veterans: Findings from NHANES. Public Health Nutrition, 26(7), 1478-1487. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980023000538
Abstract Created by REACH:
A food-secure household has consistent access to a sufficient amount of healthy and affordable food. This study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to identify factors related to food security among Veterans (n = 1,227) and non-Veterans (n = 2,432). Participants reported on demographic information (e.g., age, race), chronic health issues (e.g., diabetes, depression), healthcare utilization, and poverty risk. Overall, Veterans and non-Veterans experienced similar levels of high food security. However, White Veterans and Veterans with some college education were less likely to experience high food security than non-Veteran counterparts.
Focus:
Mental health
Physical health
Veterans
Other
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Cross-Sectional Study
Quantitative Study
Secondary Analysis
Authors:
Robbins, Ronna, Starr, Kathryn N. Porter, Addison, Odessa, Parker, Elizabeth A., Wherry, Sarah J., Ikpe, Sunday, Serra, Monica C.
Abstract:
Objective: Determine predictors of the association between being a Veteran and adult food security, as well as to examine the relation of potential covariates to this relationship. Design: Data collected during 2011-2012, 2013-2014, and 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were pooled for analyses. Veterans (self-reported) were matched to non-Veterans on age, race/ethnicity, sex, and education. Adjusted logistic regression was used to determine the odds of Veterans having high food security vs. the combination of marginal, low, and very low food security compared to non-Veterans. Setting: 2011-2012, 2013-2014, and 2015-2016 NHANES Participants: 1,227 Veterans; 2,432 non-Veterans. Results: Veteran-status had no effect on the proportion of food insecurities between Veterans and non-Veterans reporting high (Veterans vs. non-Veteran: 79% vs. 80%), marginal (9% vs. 8%), low (5% vs 6%), and very low (8% vs. 6%) food security (p=0.11). However, after controlling for covariates, Veterans tended to be less likely to have high food security (OR: 0.82 (95% CI: 0.66, 1.02), p=0.07). Further, non-Hispanic White Veterans (OR: 0.72 (95% CI: 0.55, 0.95), p=0.02) and Veterans completing some college (OR: 0.71 (95% CI: 0.50, 0.99), p<0.05), were significantly less likely to experience high food security compared to non-Veterans. Conclusion: This study supports previous research findings that after controlling for covariates, Veterans tend to be less likely to have high food security. It also highlights ethnicity and level of education as important socioeconomic determinates of food security status in Veterans.
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Keywords:
veteran, food insecurity, NHANES, social determinants
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
REACH Newsletter: