The Intersection between Food Insecurity and Diabetes: A Review
Enza Gucciardi1, Mandana Vahabi2, Nicole Norris1
1School of Nutrition, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3 Canada.
Current Nutrition Reports
|November 11, 2014
Summary
Food insecurity significantly impacts diabetes management, making it harder for individuals to follow dietary plans. This challenge is common, affecting both food security and diabetes prevalence in North America.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Food insecurity disproportionately affects individuals with diabetes, creating a complex interplay between nutrition access and chronic disease management.
- The challenges of managing diabetes are amplified by food insecurity, forcing difficult choices between food, medication, and living expenses.
Approach:
- This analysis highlights the bidirectional relationship between food insecurity and diabetes prevalence.
- It emphasizes the critical need for healthcare providers to recognize and address food security as a key factor in diabetes care.
Key Points:
- Individuals facing food insecurity struggle to adhere to diabetes management plans due to limited access to appropriate foods.
- The dual burden of food insecurity and diabetes management leads to competing financial priorities, potentially worsening health outcomes.
- There is a significant overlap in prevalence between food-insecure households and those with individuals living with diabetes.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare providers must be educated on the role of food security in diabetes prevention and management.
- Integrating food security assessments into routine diabetes care is essential for improving patient outcomes.
- Addressing food insecurity is crucial for effective diabetes self-management and overall public health.
Keywords:
Coping strategiesDiabetesDiabetes managementDiabetes preventionFood insecurityFood securityHypoglycemiaPovertySelf-careSelf-efficacySelf-managementMore Related Videos
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