Table 1. Characteristics of Respondents (14,879) Aged 50 or Older by Food Security Status, 2013–2015 MEPS Linked With 2011–2014 NHISa .
| Characteristic | Food Secure, % (n = 12,729) | Food Insecure, % (n = 2,150) | P Valueb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, y | |||
| 50–64 | 51.5 | 68.1 | <.001 |
| 65–85 | 48.5 | 31.9 | |
| Sex | |||
| Female | 56.0 | 63.9 | <.001 |
| Male | 43.0 | 36.1 | |
| Race/ethnicity | |||
| White, non-Hispanic | 56.2 | 33.4 | <.001 |
| Black, non-Hispanic | 19.6 | 34.3 | |
| Hispanic | 15.6 | 26.7 | |
| Other, non-Hispanic | 8.7 | 5.7 | |
| Living arrangement | |||
| Alone | 40.0 | 51.0 | <.001 |
| Not Alone | 60.0 | 49.0 | |
| Insurance | |||
| Private | 60.2 | 27.3 | <.001 |
| Public | 33.0 | 58.6 | |
| None | 6.8 | 14.2 | |
| Federal Poverty Level, % | |||
| <125 | 20.5 | 50.3 | <.001 |
| 125–199 | 14.6 | 21.5 | |
| ≥200 | 64.9 | 28.2 | |
| Region | |||
| Northeast | 18.0 | 15.4 | <.001 |
| Midwest | 20.1 | 17.2 | |
| South | 37.8 | 45.4 | |
| West | 24.1 | 22.1 | |
| SNAP recipient | |||
| Recipient | 11.5 | 44.4 | <.001 |
| Non-recipient | 88.5 | 55.6 | |
| Chronic conditionc | |||
| Hypertension | 50.6 | 59.7 | <.001 |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.3 | 11.9 | |
| Stroke | 5.1 | 9.8 | |
| Emphysema | 2.4 | 6.1 | |
| Asthma | 11.4 | 20.6 | |
| Cancer | 13.8 | 10.8 | |
| Bronchitis | 4.6 | 11.9 | |
| Arthritis | 38.2 | 49.5 | |
| Diabetes | 17.6 | 27.8 | |
Abbreviation: MEPS, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey; NHIS, National Health Interview Survey; SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
a
All comparisons are based on unweighted data.
b
P values are based on χ square test.
c
Values do not total 100% because of comorbidity (ie, a respondent may have more than one chronic condition).