One in 10 With Cardiovascular Disease More Likely to Face Food Insecurity

Food insecurity among those with cardiovascular disease increased from 1999 to 2018

According to a study published online in JAMA Cardiology, food insecurity increased from 1999 through 2018 among cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients.

Eric J. Brandt, M.D., from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and colleagues assessed food insecurity among adults with prior CVD (myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure) and cardiometabolic risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia) across racial and ethnic groups.

The analysis included 57,517 adults participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999 to 2018).

The researchers found that 11.8 percent of people reported food insecurity, which was more common among Hispanic (24.0 percent) and non-Hispanic Black (18.2 percent) adults versus non-Hispanic Asian (8.0 percent) and non-Hispanic White adults (8.5 percent).

Except for coronary artery disease, all CVD and cardiometabolic diseases were more prevalent among those with food insecurity. There were increases in food insecurity over time, and food insecurity was more frequent for patients with CVD but not for those with cardiometabolic risk factors.

Non-Hispanic Black individuals with CVD have significantly decreased food insecurity since 2011. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation among those with food insecurity was higher among those with CVD versus those without CVD (54.2 versus 44.3 percent).

“Increased recognition of food insecurity and resources for treating it are needed to address the negative consequences of food insecurity on CVD outcomes,” the authors write.

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