Abstract
Objective
This study explored associations between socio-demographic characteristics, self-reported health, and household food security among young adults.
Methods
National cohort study participants from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Halifax, Canada, aged 16–30 years (n = 2149) completed online surveys. Multinomial logistic regression, weighted to reflect age and sex proportions from the 2016 census, was conducted to examine associations between food security status and covariates.
Results
Almost 30% of respondents lived in food-insecure households, with 19% in “moderately” food-insecure and 10% in “severely” food-insecure households. Respondents identifying as Black or Indigenous were more likely to live in moderately (AOR = 1.96, CI: 1.10, 3.50; AOR = 3.15, CI: 1.60, 6.20) and severely (AOR = 4.25, CI: 2.07, 8.74; AOR = 6.34, CI: 2.81, 14.30) food-insecure households compared with those identifying as mixed/other ethnicity. Respondents who found it “very difficult” to make ends meet were more likely to be moderately (AOR = 20.37, CI: 11.07, 37.46) and severely (AOR = 101.33, CI: 41.11, 249.77) food insecure. Respondents classified as “normal” weight (AOR = 0.64, CI: 0.43, 0.96) or overweight (AOR = 0.53, CI: 0.34, 0.83) were less likely to be moderately food insecure compared with those affected by obesity. Compared with “very good or excellent,” “poor” health, diet quality, and mental health were each positively associated with severe food insecurity (AOR = 7.09, CI: 2.44, 20.61; AOR = 2.63, CI: 1.08, 6.41; AOR = 2.09, CI: 1.03, 4.23, respectively).
Conclusion
The high prevalence of correlates of food insecurity among young adults suggests the need for policies that consider the unique challenges (e.g., precarious income) and vulnerability associated with this life stage.
Résumé
Objectif
Explorer les associations entre le profil sociodémographique, l’état de santé autodéclaré et la sécurité alimentaire du ménage chez les jeunes adultes.
Méthode
Des participants d’une étude de cohorte nationale de Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver, Edmonton et Halifax (Canada) âgés de 16 à 30 ans (n = 2 149) ont répondu à des sondages en ligne. Nous avons procédé à une régression logistique multinomiale, pondérée selon les proportions d’âge et de sexe dans le recensement de 2016, pour examiner les associations entre l’état de sécurité alimentaire et ses covariables.
Résultats
Près de 30 % des répondants vivaient dans des ménages aux prises avec l’insécurité alimentaire, dont 19 % dans des ménages « modérément » exposés à l’insécurité alimentaire et 10 % dans des ménages en situation d’insécurité alimentaire « grave ». Les répondants s’étant identifiés comme étant noirs ou autochtones étaient plus susceptibles de vivre dans des ménages en situation d’insécurité alimentaire modérée (RCa = 1,96, IC : 1,10, 3,50; RCa = 3,15, IC : 1,60, 6,20) et grave (RCa = 4,25, IC : 2,07, 8,74; RCa = 6,34, IC : 2,81, 14,30) que les répondants s’étant identifiés comme étant d’ethnicité mixte/autre. Les répondants qui trouvaient « très difficile » de joindre les deux bouts étaient plus susceptibles d’être en situation d’insécurité alimentaire modérée (RCa = 20,37, IC : 11,07, 37,46) et grave (RCa = 101,33, IC : 41,11, 249,77). Les répondants classés comme étant de poids « normal » (RCa = 0,64, IC : 0,43, 0,96) ou en surpoids (RCa = 0,53, IC : 0,34, 0,83) étaient moins susceptibles d’être en situation d’insécurité alimentaire modérée que les répondants touchés par l’obésité. Comparativement aux réponses « très bonne ou excellente », la santé, la qualité du régime ou la santé mentale « mauvaise » était associée positivement à l’insécurité alimentaire grave (RCa = 7,09, IC : 2,44, 20,61; RCa = 2,63, IC : 1,08, 6,41; RCa = 2,09, IC : 1,03, 4,23, respectivement).
Conclusion
La forte prévalence des corrélats de l’insécurité alimentaire chez les jeunes adultes indique qu’il faut des politiques qui tiennent compte des difficultés uniques (p. ex. le revenu précaire) et de la vulnérabilité associées à ce stade de la vie.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge Christine M. White for her role in development of measures for the Canada Food Study, data synthesis, and support for this paper.
Funding
This project has been made possible through funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Additional funding for this project has been provided by a PHAC–Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Chair in Applied Public Health, which supports Professor Hammond, staff, and students at the University of Waterloo.
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JB formulated the research question, analyzed data, and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. SIK contributed to study design and data analysis, as well as writing and revising manuscript drafts. DH, principal investigator of the Canada Food Study, designed the study and data analysis plan, formulated the research question, and contributed to writing and revising the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript.
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This study was reviewed and received ethics clearance through a University of Waterloo research ethics committee (ORE #21631).
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Bhawra, J., Kirkpatrick, S.I. & Hammond, D. Food insecurity among Canadian youth and young adults: insights from the Canada Food Study. Can J Public Health 112, 663–675 (2021). https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-020-00469-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-020-00469-1