Food Insecurity and Likely Psychological Distress: Isolation of BMI and Income among Women in California

Abstract

ABSTRACT California’s rate of food insecurity is nearly double the national goal. Women with lower socioeconomic status are disproportionately affected by higher rates of food insecurity, obesity, and poorer mental health. The study purpose was to investigate the adjusted relationship between likely psychological distress and food insecurity among women with low-income and obesity in California. Secondary data analysis study of the 2016 California Health Interview Survey adult (18+) public-use dataset. Weighted analyses of women with low-income and obesity included univariate, bivariate, and a multivariable logistic regression. Women with likely psychological distress had more than 350% higher adjusted odds of food insecurity (AOR 4.63, 95% CI 2.30–9.32). Findings support the growing literature on the positive association between psychological distress and food insecurity among women living in high-income countries. This study makes a novel contribution by focusing on the effects within a subpopulation of women with low-income and obesity.