​U.S. veterans are at risk for being overweight or obese and having associated unhealthy behaviors, including poor diet; this study evaluated the association between food insecurity and dietary practices among veterans. Authors conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) for 2009 and 2011-2012 for 11,011 California veterans. The association between food insecurity and dietary practices of fruit, vegetable, fast food and soda intakes was analyzed.

Nearly 5 percent of the veterans studied reported living in poverty with food insecurity. Compared with those at or above the poverty level and those in poverty but food secure, the mean intakes of fruits and vegetables were lower, while the mean intakes of soda and fast foods were higher among veterans living in poverty with food insecurity. Food insecurity was associated with 24 and 142 percent higher average consumption of fast foods and soda, respectively, and 24 percent lower fruit intake.

• Monideepa B. Becerra
• et al