COMPARISON OF FOOD INSECURITY BETWEEN DIABETICS AND NON-DIABETICS SUBJECTS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON HBA1C

Background and Aim: Type 2 is currently considered as a health priority in Iran. Recent studies indicate the widespread prevalence of food insecurity in different parts of Iran. the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between food insecurity and some its risk factors and also the relationship between HbA1c and food insecurity, in diabetic patients that living in villages in Abadan, Iran.Methods: In this case-control study, 110 diabetic patients as case and 107 Non-diabetic individuals, were randomly selected. Demographic characteristics and food insecurity status by using questionnaires, in addition to HbA1c level, were evaluated. Data were analyzed by Chi-square, t-Student, and logistic regression tests using SPSS Statistical software (Version 16).Results: The prevalence of food insecurity in case and control groups was %85.3 and %67.1, respectively. Finally, the odds ratio for DM was significantly higher in people with food insecurity (Odds ratio 3.08; %95 confidence interval: 1.26 -7.5). In addition, food insecure individuals had significantly higher HbA1c levels (P = 0.001).Conclusion: in this study , several risk factors such as low economic level, BMI, education level and the number of person in household were considered as effective factors in food insecurity. As well as, food insecure individuals significantly had higher level of HbA1c. Therefore, Considering the higher prevalence of food insecurity in patients with type 2 diabetes than in the control group, it can be expressed that food insecurity is likely to be associated with type 2 diabetes or its risk factors.

Keywords:

Food insecurity , type 2 diabetes , HbA1c