Understanding the Food Insecurity and Obesity Relationship by Examining Potential Mediators: An Exploratory Analysis

Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated a positive association between obesity and food insecurity, but the mechanisms of this relationship are not well established. The purpose of the current study was to explore 5 potential mediating variables of the relationship between food insecurity and obesity: (1) home food environment, (2) eating out, (3) unhealthy food preparation, (4) food cost, and (5) mental health. Data were from 116 participants enrolled in a community-based weight gain prevention study in rural south Georgia. No evidence of complete mediation was found; however, strong relationships among demographic factors, food insecurity, and obesity were documented. Future research should seek to confirm our findings in larger, more diverse samples. Practice implications include working with communities to develop multilevel interventions that could address both overweight and food insecurity.