Food Insecurity, Quality of Life, and Diabetes Biomarkers in Adults with Diabetes
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Nursing
Institution
University of Louisville
KY House District #
43
KY Senate District #
19
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Diane O. Chlebowy, PhD, RN; Jennifer Olges, MD, MPH; Nancy Kubiak, MD; Kaitlin Gordon, MD; Cody Moore, MD
Department
School of Nursing & School of Medicine
Abstract
Background: Food insecurity can negatively affect healthcare outcomes in individuals with diabetes. In addition, food insecurity can negatively impact the quality of life of this population. Few studies have examined the impact of food insecurity on quality of life and diabetes biomarkers in adults with diabetes.
Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study is to examine food insecurity, quality of life, and diabetes biomarkers (glycated hemoglobin [A1c], body weight, body mass index [BMI]), and systolic blood pressure [SBP] and diastolic blood pressure [DBP]) in adults with diabetes.
Method: A convenience sample (N = 16) was recruited at an outpatient clinic. Each participant completed a sociodemographic survey, Hunger Vital Signs Survey, and the Centers for Disease Control’s Quality of Life Questionnaire. Diabetes biomarkers and SBP and DBP were obtained through chart reviews. A descriptive analysis was performed and continuous variables displayed as means and standard deviations; frequencies and percentages described all categorical variables.
Results: Based on preliminary data, the mean age was 57.2 (SD = 10.9), 50% male, 50% female, 44% divorced, 50% had a high school degree or less, 56% lived in a house, 68% unemployed, and 38% reported a monthly family income of $1,000 or less. In the past 12 months, 43.8% reported not having adequate finances to purchase food and 37.5% reported being worried about having finances to purchase food. Fifty percent reported having fair to poor general health. The mean A1c, body weight, BMI, SBP, and DBP results were 8.1 (SD = 2.2), 220.9 (SD = 65.1), 34.9 (SD = 8.8), 134.1 (SD = 15.1), 80.4 (SD = 9.3), respectively.
Conclusions: The preliminary results emphasize the importance of addressing food insecurity in this population. Further analyses are vital to better understand the impact of food insecurity on quality of life and diabetes biomarkers in adults with diabetes.
Food Insecurity, Quality of Life, and Diabetes Biomarkers in Adults with Diabetes
Background: Food insecurity can negatively affect healthcare outcomes in individuals with diabetes. In addition, food insecurity can negatively impact the quality of life of this population. Few studies have examined the impact of food insecurity on quality of life and diabetes biomarkers in adults with diabetes.
Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study is to examine food insecurity, quality of life, and diabetes biomarkers (glycated hemoglobin [A1c], body weight, body mass index [BMI]), and systolic blood pressure [SBP] and diastolic blood pressure [DBP]) in adults with diabetes.
Method: A convenience sample (N = 16) was recruited at an outpatient clinic. Each participant completed a sociodemographic survey, Hunger Vital Signs Survey, and the Centers for Disease Control’s Quality of Life Questionnaire. Diabetes biomarkers and SBP and DBP were obtained through chart reviews. A descriptive analysis was performed and continuous variables displayed as means and standard deviations; frequencies and percentages described all categorical variables.
Results: Based on preliminary data, the mean age was 57.2 (SD = 10.9), 50% male, 50% female, 44% divorced, 50% had a high school degree or less, 56% lived in a house, 68% unemployed, and 38% reported a monthly family income of $1,000 or less. In the past 12 months, 43.8% reported not having adequate finances to purchase food and 37.5% reported being worried about having finances to purchase food. Fifty percent reported having fair to poor general health. The mean A1c, body weight, BMI, SBP, and DBP results were 8.1 (SD = 2.2), 220.9 (SD = 65.1), 34.9 (SD = 8.8), 134.1 (SD = 15.1), 80.4 (SD = 9.3), respectively.
Conclusions: The preliminary results emphasize the importance of addressing food insecurity in this population. Further analyses are vital to better understand the impact of food insecurity on quality of life and diabetes biomarkers in adults with diabetes.