Sociodemographic Correlates of Food Insecurity Among New York City Tobacco Users.

PURPOSE

To identify rates and sociodemographic correlates of food insecurity among low-income smokers.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of baseline survey data from a randomized controlled trial (N = 403) testing a smoking cessation intervention for low-income smokers.

SETTING

Two safety-net hospitals in New York City.

SAMPLE

Current smokers with annual household income <200% of the federal poverty level.

MEASURES

Food insecurity was measured using the United States Department of Agriculture 6-item food security module. Participant sociodemographics were assessed by self-reported survey responses.

ANALYSIS

We used frequencies to calculate the proportion of smokers experiencing food insecurity and multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with being food insecure.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight percent of participants were food insecure, with 29% reporting very high food insecurity. Compared to married participants, separated, widowed, or divorced participants were more likely to be food insecure (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25-4.33), as were never married participants (AOR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.54-5.14).

CONCLUSIONS

Health promotion approaches that target multiple health risks (eg, smoking food access) may be needed for low-income populations. Interventions which seek to alleviate food insecurity may benefit from targeting socially isolated smokers.