Food insecurity and patterns of dietary intake in a sample of UK adults.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to identify the dietary intake correlates of food insecurity (FI) in UK adults. We recruited groups of low-income participants who were classified as food insecure (n 196) or food secure (n 198). Participants completed up to five 24 h dietary recalls. There was no difference in total energy intake by FI status (βFI = -0·06, 95 % CI - 0·25, 0·13). Food insecure participants consumed a less diverse diet, as evidenced by fewer distinct foods per meal (βFI = -0·27, 95 % CI - 0·47, -0·07), and had more variable time gaps between meals (βFI = 0·21, 95 % CI 0·01, 0·41). These associations corresponded closely to those found in a recent US study using similar measures, suggesting that the dietary intake signature of FI generalises across populations. The findings suggest

SUBMITTER: Shinwell J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9346616 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature