Current Prevalence and Risk Factors of Obesity and Examining the Causal Pathway Between Obesity and Food Insecurity in Canadian Adolescents and Young Adults (12–24)

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of obesity in Canadian adolescents and young adults between 12 to 24 years of age and to examine the causal mechanism between food insecurity and obesity using the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS): 2015–16 data. Methods We analyzed the CCHS 2015–16 data for population aged 12 to 24 from 8 provinces and 2 territories. Obesity was determined from self-reported height and weight measurements. Covariates ranging from socio demographic characteristics, food insecurity, physical activity and daily consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as multiple interaction terms were tested for association with obesity. A multivariable weighted logistic regression model was fitted and strength of association was informed by odds ratios estimates and confidence intervals. Direct and indirect effects of multiple mediators were tested to explore the association between food insecurity and obesity. Results More than one-fifth of the Canadian adolescents aged 12 to 24 years were obese and the highest rate of obesity was found in Québec. Household food insecurity significantly predicted obesity among adolescents (OR = 1.818, 95% CI: 1.19–2.75). We observed adolescents that consumed fruits and vegetable 5 to 10 times a day had significantly lower odds of being obese (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.51–0.91). In addition, adolescents from severe food insecure households were three times more likely to be obese compared to the food secure households (OR = 3.18, 95% CI: 1.15–8.94). We also found, interaction between age and sex, age and household food insecurity, times of vegetables and fruits consumption and sex significantly predicted the probability of obesity. We found a marginal mediation effect by self-perceived mental health on the association between household food insecurity and obesity among Canadian adolescents and young adults age 12 to 24 years. Conclusions Our findings suggests even in a high income country setting, food insecurity persists and it is a significant predictor of obesity among adolescents and young adults (12–24). Age and sex moderates the association whereas we see a marginal mediation through self-perceived mental health. Funding Sources N/A.