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Association of Problematic Alcohol Use and Food Insecurity among Homeless Men and Women

Food insecurity results from unreliable access to affordable and nutritious food. Homeless adults are particularly vulnerable to both food insecurity and problematic alcohol use. The current study examined the link between problematic alcohol use and food insecurity among homeless adults. Participan...

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Autores principales: Reitzel, Lorraine R., Chinamuthevi, Surya, Daundasekara, Sajeevika S., Hernandez, Daphne C., Chen, Tzu-An, Harkara, Yashwant, Obasi, Ezemenari M., Kendzor, Darla E., Businelle, Michael S.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: MDPI 2020
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7277400/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32455769
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103631
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author Reitzel, Lorraine R.
Chinamuthevi, Surya
Daundasekara, Sajeevika S.
Hernandez, Daphne C.
Chen, Tzu-An
Harkara, Yashwant
Obasi, Ezemenari M.
Kendzor, Darla E.
Businelle, Michael S.
author_facet Reitzel, Lorraine R.
Chinamuthevi, Surya
Daundasekara, Sajeevika S.
Hernandez, Daphne C.
Chen, Tzu-An
Harkara, Yashwant
Obasi, Ezemenari M.
Kendzor, Darla E.
Businelle, Michael S.
author_sort Reitzel, Lorraine R.
collection PubMed
description Food insecurity results from unreliable access to affordable and nutritious food. Homeless adults are particularly vulnerable to both food insecurity and problematic alcohol use. The current study examined the link between problematic alcohol use and food insecurity among homeless adults. Participants (N = 528; 62.7% men; M(age) = 43.6 ± 12.2) were recruited from homeless-serving agencies in Oklahoma City. Problematic alcohol use was measured using the Alcohol Quantity and Frequency Questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire. The latter used DSM-IV diagnostic criteria to assess probable alcohol use dependence/abuse. Heavy drinking was considered >7 drinks (women) and >14 drinks (men) per week. Food insecurity was measured with the USDA Food Security Scale-Short Form. The link between alcohol problems and food insecurity was examined with logistic regression analyses controlling for sex, age, education, income, and months homeless. Overall, 28.4% of the sample had probable alcohol dependence, 25% were heavy drinkers, and 78.4% were food insecure. Probable alcohol dependence and heavy drinking were correlated at 0.53 (p < 0.001). Results indicated that heavy drinking (OR = 2.12, CI(.95) = 1.21, 3.73) and probable alcohol dependence/abuse (OR = 2.72, CI(.95) = 1.55, 4.77) were each associated with increased odds of food insecurity. Food insecurity and problematic alcohol use are major issues among homeless populations; this study suggests they are associated. Future research is needed to shed light on potential causal mechanisms and on whether alcohol may take precedence over eating or food purchases.
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spelling pubmed-72774002020-06-15 Association of Problematic Alcohol Use and Food Insecurity among Homeless Men and Women Reitzel, Lorraine R. Chinamuthevi, Surya Daundasekara, Sajeevika S. Hernandez, Daphne C. Chen, Tzu-An Harkara, Yashwant Obasi, Ezemenari M. Kendzor, Darla E. Businelle, Michael S. Int J Environ Res Public Health Communication Food insecurity results from unreliable access to affordable and nutritious food. Homeless adults are particularly vulnerable to both food insecurity and problematic alcohol use. The current study examined the link between problematic alcohol use and food insecurity among homeless adults. Participants (N = 528; 62.7% men; M(age) = 43.6 ± 12.2) were recruited from homeless-serving agencies in Oklahoma City. Problematic alcohol use was measured using the Alcohol Quantity and Frequency Questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire. The latter used DSM-IV diagnostic criteria to assess probable alcohol use dependence/abuse. Heavy drinking was considered >7 drinks (women) and >14 drinks (men) per week. Food insecurity was measured with the USDA Food Security Scale-Short Form. The link between alcohol problems and food insecurity was examined with logistic regression analyses controlling for sex, age, education, income, and months homeless. Overall, 28.4% of the sample had probable alcohol dependence, 25% were heavy drinkers, and 78.4% were food insecure. Probable alcohol dependence and heavy drinking were correlated at 0.53 (p < 0.001). Results indicated that heavy drinking (OR = 2.12, CI(.95) = 1.21, 3.73) and probable alcohol dependence/abuse (OR = 2.72, CI(.95) = 1.55, 4.77) were each associated with increased odds of food insecurity. Food insecurity and problematic alcohol use are major issues among homeless populations; this study suggests they are associated. Future research is needed to shed light on potential causal mechanisms and on whether alcohol may take precedence over eating or food purchases. MDPI 2020-05-21 2020-05 /pmc/articles/PMC7277400/ /pubmed/32455769 http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103631 Text en © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
spellingShingle Communication
Reitzel, Lorraine R.
Chinamuthevi, Surya
Daundasekara, Sajeevika S.
Hernandez, Daphne C.
Chen, Tzu-An
Harkara, Yashwant
Obasi, Ezemenari M.
Kendzor, Darla E.
Businelle, Michael S.
Association of Problematic Alcohol Use and Food Insecurity among Homeless Men and Women
title Association of Problematic Alcohol Use and Food Insecurity among Homeless Men and Women
title_full Association of Problematic Alcohol Use and Food Insecurity among Homeless Men and Women
title_fullStr Association of Problematic Alcohol Use and Food Insecurity among Homeless Men and Women
title_full_unstemmed Association of Problematic Alcohol Use and Food Insecurity among Homeless Men and Women
title_short Association of Problematic Alcohol Use and Food Insecurity among Homeless Men and Women
title_sort association of problematic alcohol use and food insecurity among homeless men and women
topic Communication
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7277400/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32455769
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103631
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