Relationship between Food Insecurity and Some Socioeconomic Factors and Type 2 Diabetes among newly diagnosed patients

Food insecurity is defined as the limited or uncertain availability of enough food for an always active and healthy life. Diabetes mellitus, a group of diseases in which the concentration of blood glucose increases resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both forms and one of the most common metabolic disease, that recently is considered a health priority in Iran. Recent studies show high prevalence of food insecurity and diabetes mellitus in different cities of Iran. Previously, no study had been conducted to assess food insecurity and diabetes mellitus association in Iran. The objective of this study, was to examine this association.
A case-control study was conducted on 135 patients with type 2 diabetes as cases (99 females, 36 males, mean age 46.83) and 135 persons without diabetes mellitus (89 females, 46 males, mean age 45.93) as controls referred to clinics of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The diabetes mellitus based on fasting blood sugar test page based on the criteria ≥126mg / dl) were determined. General, Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and food insecurity status were assessed, using general, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and 18-items USDA household food security questionnaires, respectively. Chi-square, t-test and multiple logistic regression tests were applied using SPSS19 statistical software.
The prevalence of food insecurity was 66.7% in cases and 41.5% in controls. After multiple logistic regressions, variables including food insecurity, BMI higher than 25, having 4 or more children, having child under 18 were significantly associated with diabetes mellitus (P Given the higher prevalence of food insecurity in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with non-diabetic subjects, Apparently, food insecurity is an important risk factors for diabetes mellitus. Health Planners should pay attention to improve of food security status in society.