Food Security Is Associated with Dietary Diversity: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

Background and Objectives: This study was undertaken to determine the relationship between food security and individual dietary diversity score (IDDS). Materials and Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 non-diabetic individuals aged ≥40 years, selected randomly from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Household food security was measured using a validated United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 18-item questionnaire and IDDS using a valid and reliable 147-item food frequency questionnaire based on five food groups of the Food Guide Pyramid. Results: Overall, 48.5% of the study subjects had high, 36.0% had borderline, and 15.5% had low food security. Significant inverse correlations were observed between the scores for food security, diversity of fruits and vegetables, and total IDDS. Food secure group had significantly higher total IDDS (4.74 ± 1.40 vs. 5.15 ± 1.28, P = 0.033) and score for diversity of fruits (1.48 ± 1.40 vs. 1.68 ± 1.28, P = 0.030) as compared to the food insecure group. After adjusting for covariates, higher food security score was associated with lower total IDDS (regression coefficient for a 1-unit difference in diversity score = -0.130, P = 0.040), and score for diversity of fruits (regression coefficient for a 1-unit difference in diversity score = -0.182, P = 0.010). Conclusions: The results showed an inverse relationship between food security score and dietary diversity score. Intake of different fruits is associated with higher food security. Keywords: Dietary diversity Food security Food insecurity