(P15-004-24) A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Food Security, Race, and Sex on Cardiometabolic and Cognitive Health Outcomes in Young Adults With Overweight and Obesity

Objectives: Understanding the crucial role of socio-economic status, particularly regarding food access and its interplay with demographic factors like sex and race, is vital for unraveling disease etiology and developing targeted interventions to shape health outcomes. Hence, this study examines how food security, race, and sex impact cardiometabolic and cognitive health outcomes in young adults with overweight and obesity.

Methods: Data collected pre-intervention from Black (n=49) and White (n=53) participants (age: 18-35 years, BMI: 25-45 kg/m², 21M/81F), enrolled in an ongoing dietary intervention study, underwent cross-sectional analysis. Food security was assessed using the U.S. Household Food Security Survey. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), HbA1c, and blood pressure (BP) were assessed using standard techniques. Augmentation index (AI) was assessed using an EndoPAT device. Cognitive function measures included a d2 test of attention. The effects of food security, sex, race, and their combinations on these outcomes were analyzed using ANOVA tests. Post-hoc t-test comparisons with Tukey HSD adjustment were conducted when significant main effects were found.

Results: Thirty-five percent of participants were classified as food insecure. An interaction effect of food security and race was found for HbA1c and errors in attention (E%) (P < 0.05). White individuals of high food security status had significantly lower HbA1c than Black individuals of high or low food security status (P < 0.05). Black individuals of low food security status had higher E% than White individuals of low food security status (P < 0.05). An interaction effect of race and sex was found for WHR, HbA1c, systolic BP, and E% (P < 0.05). White males had significantly higher WHR compared to White females and Black males or females (P < 0.05). Black males had significantly higher HbA1c than White females (P < 0.05) and higher systolic BP than Black females (P < 0.05). Black females had significantly higher E% than White females (P < 0.05). Black individuals had higher AI than White individuals (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: This study highlights the significant impact of food security, race, and sex on health disparities in young adults with overweight and obesity, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions that consider these intersecting factors.

Funding Sources: NIH-NIMHD and USDA NC1193