Identifying Nutritional Inequities of Patients with Cancer Residing in Food Deserts

Nutrition is essential for cancer care, and patients who reside in food priority areas (FPAs) may experience limited access to healthy meals. There are few data evaluating the consequence of residing in FPAs because it relates to perceived food insecurity, psychosocial needs, or nutritional status of patients with cancer. This study aimed to determine the nutritional and psychosocial needs of patients with cancer who do and do not reside in FPAs.

From May 2019 to December 2022, a cross-sectional analysis was conducted using a validated questionnaire, offered at various time points before and after therapy, evaluating the psychosocial needs of patients with curable cancers. Groups were compared using X² and Mann-Whitney U tests as appropriate. Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of food insecurity.

Survey compliance was 74% (n = 320 of 434 patients). Patients who resided in FPAs (26%; n = 114) were more likely to self-identify as Black (60.5% vs 39.5%; P < .001), single (70% vs 37%; P < .001), and have a lower median income ($47,225 vs $91,305; P < .001) when compared with non-FPA residents. Residents of FPAs had a higher unmet nutritional needs index (median nutritional unmet needs score: 2.42 vs 2.00; P = .003), which included higher demands for healthier food choices (67.6% vs 54.4; P = .047) and greater food insecurity (44.4% vs 19.9%; P = .002). FPA residence was associated with a 3-fold increased risk of food insecurity (odds ratio [OR], 3.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59-6.57; P < .001). On multivariate analysis, predictors for food insecurity included Black race (OR, 9.46; 95% CI, 3.93-22.76; P < .001), stage (stage IV vs l OR, 4.27; 95% CI, 1.12-16.34; P = .034), and recurrent disease (OR, 10.26; 95% CI, 2.29-46.09; P = .002).

Inequities were identified in patients residing in FPAs, where race and higher stage were important predictors of food insecurity. Demographics can be readily used by clinicians to identify high-risk patients early in their cancer care in order to provide continuous nutritional resources to improve food insecurity perceptions. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm if such interventions improve cancer outcomes.