Smoking modifies the association between food insecurity and physical performance

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Limited research exists on food insecurity's impact on physical performance in older adults.
• The moderating role of smoking status in this association has not been previously investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between food insecurity and physical performance (gait speed, knee extensor power) in adults aged 50 years and older.
• To determine if smoking status modifies the relationship between food insecurity and physical performance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
• Assessed food security using the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM).
• Employed multiple linear regression models, controlling for covariates like age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, and income.

Main Results:

• The association between food insecurity and gait speed was significantly modified by smoking status (p=0.005).
• Among nonsmokers, marginal food security and food insecurity were associated with significantly slower gait speeds and lower knee extensor power compared to food security.
• No significant association between food insecurity and physical performance measures was detected among smokers.

Conclusions:

• Smoking appears to obscure the relationship between food insecurity and physical performance in older adults.
• The findings highlight the complex interplay between nutrition, lifestyle factors (smoking), and physical function in aging populations.