Food and Nutrition Insecurity: Experiences That Differ for Some and Independently Predict Diet-Related Disease, Los Angeles County, 2022.

BACKGROUND

National surveillance shows that food insecurity affects ∼1 in 10 Americans each year. Recently, experts have advocated for surveillance of nutrition insecurity alongside food insecurity. Nutrition security refers to the nutritional adequacy of accessible food and factors that impact one's ability to meet food preferences.

OBJECTIVES

This study presents representative estimates of food insecurity and nutrition insecurity for Los Angeles County, CA, United States; compares predictors of these constructs; and examines whether they independently predict diet-related health outcomes.

METHODS

In December 2022, a representative sample of Los Angeles County adults participating in the Understanding America Study (N = 1071) was surveyed about household food insecurity and nutrition insecurity over the past 12 months. Data were analyzed in 2023.

RESULTS

Reported rates were similar for food insecurity (24%) and nutrition insecurity (25%), but the overlap of these subgroups was less than 60%. Logistic regression models indicated that non-Hispanic Asian individuals had higher odds of nutrition insecurity but not food insecurity. Moreover, nutrition insecurity was a stronger predictor of diabetes compared with food insecurity, and both constructs independently predicted poor mental health.

CONCLUSIONS

Food and nutrition insecurity affect somewhat different populations. Both constructs are valuable predictors of diet-related health outcomes. Monitoring nutrition insecurity in addition to food insecurity can provide new information about populations with barriers to healthy diets.