Abstract TU171: Marginal food security is associated with higher waist-to-height ratio in college students: Findings from the FRESH Study

Abstract

Background: Food insecurity (FI) is associated with poor cardiovascular and metabolic health (CVMH) outcomes. College students, a population of emerging adults, experience FI at a higher prevalence [SS6] than the general U.S. population. Emerging adulthood is a critical period for the development of poor CVMH. It is unknown how FI at this life stage may influence CVMH. Hypothesis: FI (low and very low food security status) is related to worse CVMH, including increased weight status, blood pressure, and blood glucose in emerging adults. Methods: The Food, Rest, Exercise, and Health (FRESH) Study is an observational[CM7] study that recruited second-year students at UC Santa Cruz. Participants were surveyed about demographic factors and food security status. Height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, and blood glucose (measured by HbA1c) were collected by trained research assistants. Linear regression models examined relationships between food security status (high, marginal, low and very low) and CVMH indicators: BMI, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and HbA1c. All models were adjusted for age, sex, smoking history, and race and ethnicity. Blood pressure and HbA1c were also adjusted for BMI. Results: Participants (n=350) were mainly female (69%), mean age of 19.8±1.16 years, and 20% with food insecurity. Participants had a mean BMI of 23.3±4.23 kg/m 2 and a mean WHtR of 0.46±0.06. Mean systolic blood pressure was 109.3±9.91 mmHg (systolic) and 65.2±7.85 mmHg (diastolic). Mean HbA1c was 5.0% [MS8] In fully adjusted models, we observed significantly higher WHtR in the marginal food security group compared to the high food security group (b=0.01[CM9] , p=0.03). Compared to high food security, food insecurity had a similar effect size (b=0.01, p=0.08) with WHtR, however this was not significant. Conclusion: Compared to high food security status, marginal food security was related to higher waist-to-height ratio (≤ 0.50 increased risk for obesity) in a generally healthy sample. These findings suggest that food security status plays a key role in maintaining healthy weight and promoting CVMH.