A recent study has shed light on the complex relationship between food insecurity, type 2 diabetes, and neighborhood cohesion among Latino adults in the United States. Researchers analyzed data from over 23,000 Latino adults who participated in the National Health Interview Survey between 2013 and 2018.
The findings, published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, reveal a stark connection between food insecurity and diabetes risk. Latinos experiencing low food security were found to have 1.84 times higher odds of developing type 2 diabetes compared to their food-secure counterparts. This risk increased to 2.0 times for those facing very low food security.
Interestingly, the study also explored the role of neighborhood social cohesion – the sense of trust and support among community members. Results showed that Latinos reporting high levels of neighborhood cohesion were 0.86 times less likely to have type 2 diabetes than those reporting low cohesion.
However, the researchers noted that while neighborhood cohesion may influence exposure to food insecurity, it did not significantly alter the relationship between food insecurity and diabetes risk. They suggest that the development of type 2 diabetes may occur over an extended period following food insecurity experiences.
This groundbreaking study is the first to examine the potential moderating effect of neighborhood cohesion on the food security-diabetes link among Latinos nationwide. The researchers emphasize the need for further investigation to fully understand the complex interplay between these factors and to develop targeted interventions for this vulnerable population.
See “Study Examines Links Between Food Insecurity, Type 2 Diabetes, and Neighborhood Cohesion in Latino Populations” (July 9, 2024)
