Background: Low food security is associated with increased barriers to diabetes management, and COVID-has exacerbated food insecurity in the United States. This study assessed correlation between food insecurity and health outcomes among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) during the first year of the COVID-pandemic from March 2020 to March 2021.
Methods: In March 2021, 3,235 adults with T2D completed an online questionnaire which included the validated 2-item Hunger Vital Sign screening tool to assess risk of household food insecurity in the last 12 months. Health and demographic information were collected.
Results: Twenty percent of the sample were at risk of food insecurity within the last 12 months. Those at risk of food insecurity were more likely to report adverse physical health outcomes and poor mental well-being. Disparities in outcomes between those at risk and those not at risk were present across household income brackets. Among those at risk of food insecurity, 35% reported spending less on food to be able to pay for diabetes medications or supplies in the last 12 months, whereas only 4% of those not at risk reported the same.
Conclusions: Food insecurity risk during the first year of COVID-is associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes for people with T2D. As the pandemic continues, further attention must be devoted to improving accessibility of nutritious food for people with diabetes.
J.Stevenson: Other Relationship; Abbott Diabetes, Ascensia Diabetes Care, Beta Bionics, Inc., Dexcom, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Insulet Corporation, LifeScan, Medtronic, Roche Diabetes Care, Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. R.Gowen: Other Relationship; Abbott Diabetes, Ascensia Diabetes Care, Beta Bionics, Inc., Dexcom, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Insulet Corporation, LifeScan, Medtronic, Roche Diabetes Care, Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc., Virta Health Corp. E.Ye: Employee; dQ&A. R.Wood: Other Relationship; Multiple companies and patient organizations (>10) .