Association between food insecurity and probable sarcopenia: Data from the 2011–2014 National Health and nutrition examination survey

A positive association between food insecurity and the prevalence of overactive bladder in U.S. adults

Objective

This study aims to examine the correlation between overactive bladder (OAB) and food insecurity.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis utilizing extensive population data derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2018. The status of Household food insecurity is evaluated by the US Food Security Survey Module. To explore the relationship between food insecurity and OAB, three multivariable logistic regression models were carried out. Additionally, interaction and stratified analyses were also performed to find whether some factors have the potential to alter the correlation.

Results

There were 29,129 participants enrolled in the study. Compared to the other three groups, individuals with full food security exhibited a lower proportion of nocturia, urinary urgency incontinence, and OAB. In the fully-adjusted model, it was found that people experiencing food insecurity have a significantly higher prevalence of OAB compared to those with food security in the fully-adjusted model (OR = 1.540, 95%CI 1.359-1.745). Additionally, there was a significant association between the levels of food insecurity and an increased risk of OAB prevalence was also observed (marginal food security: OR = 1.312, low food security: OR = 1.559, and very low food security: OR = 1.759). No significant interaction was seen in the fully-adjusted model.

Conclusion

There is a strong positive correlation between food insecurity and the prevalence of OAB. Similarly, the correlation between levels of food insecurity and OAB also indicates the same trend. Namely, the more insecure food, the higher risk of OAB prevalence in the population.

A survey of nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practice of sarcopenia: A cross-sectional study

AIM

This paper aims to assess the current knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of nursing staff regarding sarcopenia and explore associating factors that influence them.

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia has an insidious onset and is easily overlooked. However, it is has become very common in older people, seriously jeopardizing the quality of life in patients. The present situation of nurses in China is inadequate, even though they are the primary professionals tasked with screening for sarcopenia, the ability to recognize and effectively manage the disease, and the critical role they play in preventing and controlling sarcopenia in patients.

DESIGN

We conducted a cross-sectional design of nurses.

METHODS

Facilitated sampling was used in seven hospitals in Jiangsu Province, China. A total of 409 hospital nursing staff participated in the survey from December 2022 to March 2023. The main survey instruments were the nursing staff about the knowledge of sarcopenia, beliefs, a behavior questionnaire, and a self-designed general information questionnaire. Descriptive of general data, t-test, and ANOVA for influencing factors of three dimensions, whereas multiple linear regression analyses were performed using SPSS23.0 software.

RESULTS

Questionnaires were distributed to 460 nurses, and of the 426 (92.6%) questionnaires returned, 409 (96.0%) were valid. The total mean score of nurses' knowledge, beliefs, and behavior about sarcopenia was 125.42 (SD 18.97), the mean score of knowledge latitude was 29.09 (SD 7.80), the mean score of attitude dimension was 57.53 (SD 7.63), and the mean score of behavior latitude was 38.80 (SD 10.71). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the nurse's position, Knowledge of sarcopenia, whether or not they were specialist nurses and years of experience in the workplace were the most significant factors correlated with the level of knowledge, belief, and practice (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In China, nurses have little knowledge about sarcopenia, but their attitude towards sarcopenia care is positive. However, there is potential for improvement in nursing behavior toward sarcopenia management.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Managers are advised to develop targeted training programs for nurses. Further, it improves their screening and diagnosing abilities, allowing them to prevent and control sarcopenia more effectively.

Associations of Food Insecurity with Dietary Inflammatory Potential and Risk of Low Muscle Strength

Food insecurity refers to the uncertain availability of or limited access to nutritious food. Poor diets prevalent among food insecure populations may incite an inflammatory state and subsequently negatively affect skeletal muscle metabolism. To examine the inflammatory mechanistic potential of the association between food insecurity and the risk of low muscle strength, we analyzed cross-sectional data from 8624 adults aged ≥20 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2014-2015. Household food security status was assessed using an 18-item food security survey module. The inflammatory potential of diets was estimated by the dietary inflammation index (DII). Low muscle strength was ascertained using hand grip strength. In the multivariable-adjusted model, greater food insecurity was significantly associated with a higher DII score and risk of low muscle strength. The multivariable-adjusted mean difference (95% confidence interval) on the DII, comparing the "moderate-to-severe" food insecurity group with the "food secure" group, was 0.43 (0.06-0.80) (P-trend: <0.001) and the odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) of low muscle strength for the same comparison groups was 2.06 (1.07-3.96) (P-trend: 0.005). Our results suggest that individuals with greater food insecurity may be susceptible to diets with greater inflammatory potential, which may contribute to a loss of muscle strength.

Food insecurity as a risk factor of sarcopenic obesity in older adults

Sarcopenic obesity is characterized by the loss of muscle strength, mass and muscle functionality and increased adipose tissue (obesity) according to different criteria and cut-off points. The prevalence of sarcopenic obesity among older adults is growing worldwide, and many factors are involved in its development. Diet and food security have been described as the main contributors to the development of obesity and sarcopenia. Food insecurity consists of limited or uncertain access to adequate and nutritious foods. This narrative review aims to summarize the existing data on food insecurity as a risk factor for sarcopenic obesity in the elderly.