735 - The Relationship Between Metabolic Syndrome, Food Insecurity, and Socioeconomic Status Among Youth in the United States (2015-2020)

Publication Number: 735.6837

Deepali K. Ernest, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States; Bipin Singh, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, houston, TX, United States; Alveena Imran, University of Houston, Sugar Land, TX, United States; Lauren A. Ramesar, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Elizabeth A. Onugha, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rising at alarming rates in the US and increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality. Studies in adults has shown that the risk of developing MetS is significantly affected by socioeconomic factors including income and food access. There are limited studies examining the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), food insecurity and MetS in youth.

Objective: To examine the relationship of food insecurity, food assistance, and SES with MetS.

Design/Methods: Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (2015-2020) was analyzed for 1,113 youth (16-18 years) in the US. Demographics, food security and assistance, and family income to poverty ratio (FPR) were collected via questionnaires. FPR (indicator of SES) was treated as a continuous measure, with an FPR < 1 indicating a family income below the poverty line. MetS was defined as having an elevated waist circumference (≥94cm for males and ≥80cm for females) and at least 2 other metabolic conditions (hyperglycemia, elevated BP, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL-C). Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between food insecurity, food assistance, SES, and MetS, adjusting for age, sex and ethnicity.

Results: Of the 1,113 participants (mean age=16.9 years), 50.3% were female, 21.9% Hispanic/Latino, 13% Black, 53.2% White, and 11.9% other/multiple races. In our cohort, nearly 2% had MetS. Reportedly, 20.4% had low/very low food security, 48.2% family income <$45,000/year, 43.5% received SNAP or food stamp benefits; 49.2% received these benefits in the past year while 88% were receiving them at the time of the study. After adjusting for age, sex, and ethnicity, participants reporting low food security had 2.9 times higher odds of having MetS [aOR= 2.91; 95% CI:1.11,7.64; p=0.03]. Additionally, every 1 unit increase in SES resulted in 31% lower odds of having MetS [aOR= 0.69; 95% CI:0.49,0.96; p=0.02], after adjusting for age and sex. No statistically significant associations were observed between MetS and food assistance received ever, in the last 12 months, or at the time of the study) (p>0.05 for all).

Conclusion(s): Low food security and SES are key determinants associated with MetS among U.S youth. Future work should focus on the effects of improving food access in youth with MetS.