Impact of food insecurity on adherence to diet quality, adherence to prescribed nutritional therapies and co-morbid disease expression in adults with Chronic Kidney Disease
Lay Abstract
Challenges related to global conflicts, COVID-19 pandemic and climate change make it difficult for Canadians to deal with rising food costs and access to healthy and safe foods (food insecurity). Food Insecurity (FI) can lead to Canadians eating unhealthy diets high in processed and ultra-processed foods. Many of these processed foods contain high amounts of salt and sugar. Eating diets high in processed foods can lead to an increased risk for other chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Yet often these are the least expensive to buy and/or are more available than fresh produce in communities. In fact many Canadians living in remote communities face difficulties in obtaining minimally processed foods (e.g fresh fruits and vegetables) in their local communities and even when they are available. the cost for these foods can be prohibitive. Over the past three years the costs of healthy, minimally processed foods have increased disproportionally in comparison to the rising costs of more processed foods. For Canadians living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), this can be quite problematic and contribute to low diet quality. We have recently shown that indeed this is the case, as more than 60% of all the foods consumed by adults with CKD are highly processed resulting in food intake that is low in diet quality. The effects of food insecurity is likely just compounding this problem, particularly in remote communities in Northern Canada where access to to a healthy and affordable food supply is such a big issue. The study objective is to determine the prevalence of food insecurity in Canadian households with adults with CKD and to understand how the presence of food insecurity influences what adults with CKD eat, the types and costs of foods they purchase and how this may impact their kidney health, ability to follow specialized diets that are needed to help keep their kidneys stay healthy and prevent the onset of other chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease. We will also study the effects of food insecurity on the overall quality of life for adults with CKD . This information is important to inform future interventions and health policies to help prevent food insecurity and to address the health implications related to food insecurity in Canadians living with chronic kidney disease.
