Does food insecurity contribute to socioeconomic inequalities

in BMI?Rebecca Ramsey, Dr Katrina Giskes

Results• Among men and women, household income

and education were inversely related to food insecurity.

• Women experiencing food insecurity were more likely to be overweight/obese compared to their food-secure counterparts.

• Men experiencing food insecurity were less likely to be overweight/obese (compared to those who were food secure), however this decreased likelihood did not reach statistical significance.

Introduction• Food insecurity is the limited/uncertain availability or

access to nutritionally-adequate, culturally-relevant and safe foods and/or the limited or uncertain ability to acquire food by socially-acceptable means.

• Studies show that lower socioeconomic groups are at higher risk of food insecurity than their more-advantaged counterparts.

• Those suffering from food insecurity are at risk of inadequate nutrient intakes and/or the development of overweight/obesity and chronic disease.

• Few studies have examined food insecurity among the Australian population.

• This study investigated the socioeconomic inequalities in food security among the Australian population, and examined the association between food insecurity and body mass index (BMI).

Conclusion• Income is a major determinant of food insecurity;

lower-income individuals are at higher risk of being food insecure.

• Food insecurity is associated with an increased likelihood of being overweight/obese among women.

• Food insecurity may (partially) mediate the relationship between socioeconomic position and BMI.

Methods • Data from the 1995 National Nutrition

Survey (NNS) were analysed. • The NNS involved a sample of

households (n = 13 858) who were asked about dietary habits and food choices.

• Data were collected regarding gender, age, BMI (derived from measured height and weight), household income and whether the household had run out of money to purchase food in the previous 12 months.

• Data were analysed by logistic regression, adjusting for age and stratified by gender.