A new study published in JAMA Cardiology suggests that experiencing food insecurity may raise one’s risk of heart disease later in life.
The prospective cohort study included over 3,600 participants and collected data between 2000 and 2020. At the start of the study, none of the participants had any form of cardiovascular disease. Throughout the study, participants were monitored for the development of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, coronary heart disease, and arterial disease. Participants were also identified who reported that they experienced food insecurity from 2000 to 2001. The development of cardiovascular disease among these participants was monitored and compared to that of participants who did not report food insecurity. The goal of this study was to see whether food insecurity is associated with the development of cardiovascular disease while controlling for other factors.
The results showed that participants who experienced food insecurity were 41% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease compared to their peers who did not experience food insecurity. Throughout the study, 11% of participants who experienced food insecurity developed cardiovascular disease compared to 6% of those who did not experience food insecurity. The association remained when controlling for other factors, including socioeconomic status.
The authors noted that healthcare providers should regularly screen their patients for food insecurity and direct them to community resources as soon as possible. The mechanism behind the relationship between cardiovascular disease and food insecurity is unclear, although chronic stress caused by food insecurity is a possible contributing factor. In the future, more research will be conducted to determine whether interventions, such as community programs or connections with social workers, could be used to prevent the development of cardiovascular disease by alleviating food insecurity.
Sources: JAMA Cardiology, Science Daily
