Food insecurity in wealthy countries has been associated with the rising problem of obesity. A team of researchers from UC San Francisco studied young adults in the US who are considered food insecure. Not only have they been characterized as people who are slightly obese, but they are also identified as individuals who are at higher risk to suffer from lifestyle diseases like diabetes. They come with a high body mass index that could lead to complications like an obstructed airway due to an asthma attack.
The researchers observed 15,000 young adults who can be considered as representatives of their peers all over the country. The study found that 11% or roughly 1,647 young adults were considered food insecure. This term is defined in the study as the "lack a sufficient supply of healthy foods that meet their daily dietary needs for growth and development. It also covers their preference in activities to keep them active and healthy."
The results of the study have been published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Jason Nagata, MD, from the UCSF Department of Pediatrics and lead author of the study, and the rest of the team discovered a seven percent difference in the incidence of obesity among the two groups of young adults. The food-secure group has 36 percent, while the insecure food group comes with 43%.
The nature of food insecurity comes like a cycle; that's why it can lead to high risks of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Among the 14,786 participants whose age range is between 24 and 32, the study found that the number of participants who have been told that they had diabetes is twice the number from the food-secure group.
"The monthly paycheck as well as the food assistance that they receive are likely to promote resistance to insulin. The alternating nature of food shortage and food abundance is not helping too," said Nagata. Consuming calorie-rich foods that are much cheaper instead of taking expensive fresh fruits and vegetables is also a factor that plays a role in developing diabetes among young adults.
"Chronic stress episodes also contribute to young adults developing insulin resistant-bodies. It puts them at high risk for developing high blood pressure and obesity," said Sheri Weiser, MD, senior author. According to the report, the neuro–endocrine system is activated when the body is under a lot of stress. It stimulates the production of glucocorticoids, the hormone responsible for the body's metabolism. "When activated, the body accumulates the fat for storage. It amplifies the behavior to eat and eat junk food."
Young adults that fall under the food-insecure group are also at risk for addiction to smoking. At least 46% of those who are into smoking are also into binge eating from time to time. These activities are likely to put them under a lot of stress, which causes them to eat more of whatever is available. The convenience of having fast food within arm's reach is the leading cause of obesity among young adults.
A second study of Nagata reveals that food insecurity among young adults can lead to unwanted inflammation of different organs, not to mention the risk for developing mental health concerns. Several other diagnoses were shown significantly more in food-insecure young adults than secure adults.
Food insecurity, indeed, brings about more health concerns than mere obesity. It affects the way people deal with their immediate surroundings and their loved ones. When presented with healthier options, these young adults could overcome food insecurity and thus lessen the risk for lifestyle diseases like diabetes.
