Department of Psychological, Health & Learning Sciences, The University of Houston, 3657 Cullen Blvd Stephen Power Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204-5029, USA.
HEALTH Research Institute, The University of Houston, 4849 Calhoun Rd., Houston, TX 77204, USA.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 May 21;17(10):3631. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17103631.
Food insecurity results from unreliable access to affordable and nutritious food. Homeless adults are particularly vulnerable to both food insecurity and problematic alcohol use. The current study examined the link between problematic alcohol use and food insecurity among homeless adults. Participants (N = 528; 62.7% men; M = 43.6 ± 12.2) were recruited from homeless-serving agencies in Oklahoma City. Problematic alcohol use was measured using the Alcohol Quantity and Frequency Questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire. The latter used DSM-IV diagnostic criteria to assess probable alcohol use dependence/abuse. Heavy drinking was considered >7 drinks (women) and >14 drinks (men) per week. Food insecurity was measured with the USDA Food Security Scale-Short Form. The link between alcohol problems and food insecurity was examined with logistic regression analyses controlling for sex, age, education, income, and months homeless. Overall, 28.4% of the sample had probable alcohol dependence, 25% were heavy drinkers, and 78.4% were food insecure. Probable alcohol dependence and heavy drinking were correlated at 0.53 ( < 0.001). Results indicated that heavy drinking (OR = 2.12, CI = 1.21, 3.73) and probable alcohol dependence/abuse (OR = 2.72, CI = 1.55, 4.77) were each associated with increased odds of food insecurity. Food insecurity and problematic alcohol use are major issues among homeless populations; this study suggests they are associated. Future research is needed to shed light on potential causal mechanisms and on whether alcohol may take precedence over eating or food purchases.
食物不安全是指无法可靠地获得负担得起的营养食品。无家可归的成年人尤其容易遭受食物不安全和饮酒问题的影响。本研究调查了无家可归成年人中饮酒问题与食物不安全之间的联系。参与者（N=528；62.7%为男性；M=43.6±12.2）是从俄克拉荷马城的无家可归者服务机构招募的。饮酒问题使用酒精数量和频率问卷以及患者健康问卷进行测量。后者使用 DSM-IV 诊断标准评估可能的酒精使用依赖/滥用。大量饮酒被认为是每周女性>7 杯和男性>14 杯。食物不安全使用美国农业部食物安全量表-短表进行测量。使用逻辑回归分析控制性别、年龄、教育、收入和无家可归月数，来检验酒精问题和食物不安全之间的联系。总体而言，样本中有 28.4%的人可能有酒精依赖，25%的人是大量饮酒者，78.4%的人食物不安全。可能的酒精依赖和大量饮酒之间的相关性为 0.53（<0.001）。结果表明，大量饮酒（OR=2.12，CI=1.21，3.73）和可能的酒精依赖/滥用（OR=2.72，CI=1.55，4.77）都与食物不安全的几率增加有关。食物不安全和饮酒问题是无家可归人群中的主要问题；本研究表明它们是相关的。需要进一步的研究来阐明潜在的因果机制，以及酒精是否可能优先于进食或购买食物。
