Abstract

Objective: To determine the household food insecurity (HFI) prevalence in Canadians with diabetes and its relationship with diabetes management, self-care practices and health status.

Research Design and Methods: We analyzed data from Canadians with diabetes aged 12 and older (N=6,237) from cycle 3.1 of the Canadian Community Health Survey, a population-based cross-sectional survey conducted in 2005. The HFI prevalence in Canadians with diabetes was compared to those without diabetes. The relationships between HFI and management services, self-care practices, and health status were examined for Ontarians with diabetes (N=2,523).

Results: Household food insecurity was more prevalent amongst people with diabetes [9.3% (8.2-10.4)] than amongst those without [6.8% (6.5-7.0)] and was not associated with diabetes management services, but was associated with physical inactivity [OR,1.54 (1.10-2.17)], lower fruit and vegetable consumption [OR,0.52 (0.33-0.81)], current smoking [OR,1.71 (1.09–2.69)], unmet healthcare needs [OR,2.71 (1.74–4.23)], having been an overnight patient [OR,2.08 (1.43–3.04)], having a mood disorder [OR,2.18 (1.54–3.08)], suffered effects of a stroke [OR,2.39 (1.32–4.32)], lower satisfaction with life [OR,0.28 (0.18–0.43)], self-rated general [OR,0.37 (0.21–0.66)], and mental [OR,0.17 (0.10–0.29)] health, and higher self-perceived stress [OR,2.04 (1.30–3.20)]. The odds of HFI were higher for someone diagnosed with diabetes younger than forty years of age [OR, 3.08 (1.96-4.84)].

Conclusions: Household food insecurity prevalence is higher amongst Canadians with diabetes, and is associated with increased likelihood of unhealthy behaviours, psychological distress, and poorer physical health.