Food insecurity transitions and smoking behavior among older adults who smoke

Publication date: Available online 17 July 2019Source: Preventive MedicineAuthor(s): Rachel S. BergmansAbstractCross-sectional data reveal that smoking cigarettes is highly prevalent among those who are food insecure. However, there is limited and conflicting evidence concerning whether causal factors may influence associations of food insecurity with smoking behavior. Additionally, temporality is a core feature of food insecurity that should be considered when examining linkages between food insecurity and health behaviors like smoking cessation. In 2019, data were extracted from waves 2012 and 2014 of the Health and Retirement Study—a representative sample of U.S. adults ≥50. Analyses were limited to those who smoked cigarettes in 2012 (n = 2197). Food insecurity was assessed in 2012 and 2014 to indicate food insecurity transitions: (1) initially food insecure (food insecure in 2012 only); (2) became food insecure (food insecure in 2014 only); (3) remained food insecure (food insecure in 2012 and 2014), and; (4) not food insecure (reference group). Multivariable logistic regression examined odds of smoking cessation in 2014 due to food insecurity transition. Becoming food insecure was associated with a 2.0 (95% confidence interval = 1.2–3.4) higher odds of smoking cessation. Employment loss or retirement (p ≤0.001) and diagnosis of a new chronic condition (p = 0.038) were also associated with higher odds of smoking cessation. In older U.S. adults, smok...
Source: Preventive Medicine - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research