The Association of Food Insecurity With Diabetes Control and Self-care in Diabetes Type 2 Patients

Background: Food insecurity can increase risks of health and nutritional problems, leading to difficulties in self-care and poor glycemic control in diabetic patients. Purpose: This study assessed food insecurity and its association with diabetes control and self-care in type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: : In this cross sectional study, 148 adults with type 2 diabetes participated. Food insecurity and self-care were determined using the 18-item USDA household food security status questionnaire and self-care (SDSCA) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using logistic and linear regression tests (SPSS 20 software). Results: : Thirty-seven percent of the participants were food-insecure and significantly more likely than food-secure participants to have poor glycemic control (OR=3.02; CI: 1.45-2.65). No significant association was found between food-insecurity and overall self-care score. Conclusion: Food-insecurity was directly associated with poor glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients. Since economic status was significantly better in the food-secure group, it can be postulated that financial problems will eventually lead to poor glycemic control.Policy strategies to increaseaccess to diabetes-appropriate foods mayreduce socioeconomic inequalities in glycemiccontrol.