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Household Food Insecurity, Lung Function, and COPD in US Adults
Francisca de Castro Mendes1,2, Kirstie Ducharme-Smith3, Gustavo Mora-Garcia4
1Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
Nutrients
|July 2, 2021
Summary
Food insecurity (FI) is linked to poorer lung health in US adults. This study found that individuals experiencing high FI had reduced lung function and increased odds of spirometric restriction, highlighting a critical public health concern.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Optimal diet quality is associated with better lung function and reduced risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- The impact of food insecurity (FI) on lung health in the general population remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between food insecurity and lung function.
- To examine the relationship between food insecurity and spirometrically defined COPD in a US adult population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 12,469 US adults (aged ≥ 18) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2012.
- Food insecurity (high vs. low) was assessed using the USDA Food Security Scale.
- Population-weighted regression models were used to assess associations between FI and lung function parameters (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio) and COPD.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of household food insecurity was 13.2%.
- High food insecurity was significantly associated with lower forced vital capacity (FVC) (adjusted β = -70.9 mL).
- High food insecurity was associated with increased odds of spirometric restriction (OR = 1.02).
Conclusions:
- Food insecurity is linked to worse lung health, including reduced lung volumes and increased restriction, in a nationally representative sample of US adults.
- Findings suggest that addressing food insecurity may be a relevant strategy for improving respiratory health.
- Similar associations were observed across different ethnic groups, indicating a widespread public health issue.
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