Prevalence and risk factors for food insecurity among a cross-sectional sample of U.S. Army Reserve component soldiers, 2021

Abstract Introduction This study sought to quantify food hinsecurity prevalence in a sample of the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) as well as identify demographic groups most at-risk for food insecurity. Methods An electronic questionnaire was administered to all soldiers in 21 U.S. Army Reserve Command units between July and December 2021. The Six Item Short Form Food Security Survey Module was used to assess the prevalence of food insecurity. A multivariable logistic regression was used to determine what demographic covariates were independently associated with food insecurity. Results The estimated prevalence of food insecurity was 22% among this sample of USAR soldiers, with 16% experiencing low food security and 6% experiencing very low food security ( n = 2,019). USAR soldiers with a high school degree or lower (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 2.21; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.21–4.05) and respondents with an associate degree or some college (AOR: 2.44; 95% CI: 1.32–4.51) had greater odds of food insecurity when compared to respondents who had a graduate degree or above. Black and African American respondents had 1.48-fold greater adjusted odds of food insecurity (95% CI: 1.14–1.92) when compared to White respondents. There were no statistically significant differences observed in the adjusted relative odds of food insecurity by sex, age, rank group, ethnicity, number of child dependents, or civilian occupation category. Conclusion USAR soldiers in this sample experienced a high prevalence of food insecurity. Leadership and policy makers should consider education, programming, and connection to resources for military demographic groups at heightened risk for food insecurity.