UCSF

Background and objectives

The relationship between food insecurity and alcohol use disorder remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the association between food insecurity risk and alcohol use disorder in a nationally representative sample of young adults.

Methods

Cross-sectional nationally representative data of 14,786 US young adults aged 24-32 years old from Wave IV (2008) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health were analyzed to assess a single-item measure of food insecurity risk and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-5) alcohol use disorder.

Results

Among young adults, 12% were found to be at risk for food insecurity. Young adults with food insecurity risk had greater odds of moderate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-1.58) and severe (AOR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.34-2.07) threshold alcohol use disorder than food-secure young adults, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, receipt of public assistance, household size, and smoking. Food insecurity risk was also associated with a 23% higher (95% CI: 11%-37%) number of problematic alcohol use behaviors (e.g., risky behaviors, continued alcohol use despite emotional or physical health problems).

Discussion and conclusions

Food insecurity risk is associated with problematic patterns of alcohol use. Health care providers should screen for food insecurity and problematic alcohol use in young adults and provide referrals for further resources and treatment when appropriate.

Scientific significance

This nationally representative study of US young adults is the first to find an association between food insecurity risk and alcohol use disorder using DSM-5 criteria.