Food Insecurity Associated With Cardiovascular Disease

Food insecurity is linked with an increased risk of developing heart disease, according to a study that appeared in JAMA Cardiology.

Although it is known that food insecurity is associated with prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD), research has been limited to cross-sectional studies. In this study, researchers sought to determine not only whether food insecurity is associated with CVD but also whether the link varies by sex, education, or race.

In this prospective cohort study, researchers analyzed 3,616 adult participants without preexisting CVD who participated in the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study from 2000 to August 31, 2020. The study exposure was food insecurity, characterized by participants reporting household limitations in food variety, quantity, or both. The primary outcome of interest was CVD events, such as heart failure, stroke, or transient ischemic attack.

The findings showed that individuals with food insecurity were more likely to be Black with a lower education level. After adjusting for sex, age, and field center, the researchers observed that food insecurity was associated with incident CVD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.90; 95% CI, 1.41-2.56). This correlation persisted (aHR = 1.47; 95% CI, 1.08-2.01) after further adjustment for socioeconomic factors such as marital status, education, and source of medical care.

“Results of this study suggest that food insecurity is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease; whether addressing food insecurity can alleviate cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among US individuals deserves further study,” the researchers concluded.

Source

Jia J, Carnethon MR, Wong M, Lewis CE, Schreiner PJ, Kandula NR. Food insecurity and incident cardiovascular disease among Black and White US individuals, 2000-2020. JAMA Cardiol. Published online March 12, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2025.0109