Objectives

To identify sub-populations at risk for diabetes based on having prediabetes. Although food insecurity has been linked to diabetes, to our knowledge, no studies have examined whether food insecure individuals are more likely than fully food secure individuals to have undiagnosed prediabetes.

Methods

This study was based on a cross-sectional analysis of 6577 adults in the 2005-08 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. USDA's Food Security Survey Module, self-reported prediabetes status and clinical measures were examined.

Results

Whereas men who were food insecure were more likely than fully food secure men to have undiagnosed prediabetes, no association was observed among women.

Conclusion

Prediabetes screening appears warranted for food insecure men.