Prevalence and Predictors of Household Food Insecurity and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Use in Youth and Young Adults With Diabetes: The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study

Faisal S Malik,Angela D Liese,Beth Loots,Elizabeth Jensen,Edward A Frongillo,Anna Bellatorre,Dana Dabelea,Catherine Pihoker,Jason A Mendoza,The Search For Diabetes In Youth Study Study,Beth A Reboussin,Christine Turley,Jean M Lawrence,Katherine A Sauder,Elizabeth Mayer-Davis

doi:10.2337/figshare.16873354.v2

Abstract

<a>OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of household food insecurity (HFI) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation in youth and young adults (YYA) with diabetes overall, by type, and sociodemographic characteristics.</a> RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The study included participants with youth-onset type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes from the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study. HFI was assessed using the 18-item U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) administered from 2016-2019; ³3 affirmations on the HFSSM were considered indicative of HFI. Participants were asked about SNAP participation. Chi-square tests were used to assess whether the prevalence of HFI and SNAP participation differed by diabetes type. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine differences in HFI by participant characteristics. RESULTS: Of 2561 respondents (age range 10-35 years; 79.6% ≤ 25 years), 2177 had type 1 diabetes (mean age 21.0 years, 71.8% non-Hispanic white, 11.8% non-Hispanic black, 13.3% Hispanic, 3.1% other) and 384 had type 2 diabetes (mean age 24.7 years, 18.8% non-Hispanic white, 45.8% non-Hispanic black, 23.7% Hispanic, 18.7% other). The overall prevalence of HFI was 19.7% (95% CI 18.1, 21.2). HFI was more prevalent in type 2 diabetes than type 1 diabetes (30.7% vs. 17.7%, p< 0.01). In multivariable regression models, YYA on Medicaid/Medicare or without insurance, with lower parental education, and with lower household income had greater odds of experiencing HFI. SNAP participation was 14.1% (95% CI 12.7, 15.5) with higher participation among those with type 2 diabetes compared to type 1 diabetes (34.8% vs. 10.7%; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Almost 1 in 3 YYA with type 2 diabetes and more than 1 in 6 with type 1 diabetes reported HFI in the past year, a significantly higher prevalence than the general U.S. population.

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