The Association of Food Insecurity With Asthma Control in Adults During COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Food insecurity has been associated with poorer asthma control in children, but research lacks in adults.

Objective: To assess the frequency of food insecurity and its association with asthma control in adults during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Methods: An online cross-sectional survey study was conducted in US adults with asthma. Survey questions included how worried or concerned participants were about food security since the pandemic. Asthma control was assessed using the Asthma Control Test, with uncontrolled asthma defined as Asthma Control Test score less than or equal to 19. Self-report of food insecurity since the pandemic was assessed. Food insecurity variables were dichotomized into high insecurity (≥3) or low insecurity (<3). Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were performed.

Results: Of the total participants (N = 866), 82.79% were female; mean age of participants was 44 ± 15.05 years, their mean Asthma Control Test score was 19.25 ± 4.54, and 18.48% had high food insecurity. Participants with high food insecurity were more likely to have uncontrolled asthma (74.38%) compared with those with lower food insecurity (34.99%; P < .01). The relationship between asthma control and food insecurity remained significant after adjusting for age, education, sex, race, anxiety, and living stability concerns due to the pandemic.

Conclusions: Food insecurity exists in adults with asthma and is associated with uncontrolled asthma. Providers should consider screening their patients for food insecurity when treating individuals with uncontrolled asthma.

Keywords: Asthma control; COVID-19 pandemic; Food Insecurity.