TABLE 1—
Sample Description and Covariates of Low or Very Low Food Security in Univariable and Multivariable Models for Permanent Supportive Housing Residents (n = 237): Los Angeles, California, 2016–2017
| All Participants (n = 237), No. or Mean (SD) | High or Marginal Food Secure Participants (n = 78), No. or Mean (SD) | Low or Very Low Food-Secure Participants (n = 159), No. or Mean (SD) | Univariable Models,a P | Multivariable Model,b AOR (95% CI) | |
| Demographic variables | |||||
| Gender | |||||
| Male | 149 | 53 | 96 | .28 | . . . |
| Female | 87 | 25 | 62 | .28 | . . . |
| Transgender | 1 | 0 | 1 | . . . | . . . |
| Race/ethnicity | |||||
| African American | 144 | 46 | 98 | .65 | . . . |
| White | 43 | 17 | 26 | .32 | . . . |
| Other race or more than 1 race | 48 | 14 | 34 | .82 | . . . |
| Latino/Latina | 39 | 12 | 27 | .74 | . . . |
| Age, y | 57.7 (6.3) | 58.6 (6.3) | 57.3 (6.3) | .13 | . . . |
| Health and well-being variables | |||||
| No. of physical or mental chronic health conditions | 6.17 (3.8) | 5.5 (3.4) | 6.4 (3.9) | .06 | . . . |
| Diabetes | 55 | 13 | 42 | .10 | 1.47 (0.63, 3.41) |
| Obesity | 91 | 27 | 64 | .51 | . . . |
| HIV | 20 | 10 | 10 | .09 | 0.47 (0.15, 1.53) |
| Some ADL impairment or unable to perform | 120 | 33 | 87 | .07 | . . . |
| Poor self-rated mobility | 77 | 17 | 60 | .01 | 1.49 (0.69, 3.22) |
| Cognitive impairment (MMSE score < 24) | 24 | 7 | 17 | .21 | . . . |
| Depression (PHQ-9 score > 9) | 118 | 28 | 90 | < .01 | 1.18 (0.57, 2.41) |
| Any victimization (emotional, physical, or sexual) | 124 | 31 | 93 | < .01 | 1.69 (0.85, 3.34) |
| Substance use (past 30 d) | |||||
| Tobacco | 150 | 49 | 101 | .92 | . . . |
| Alcohol to intoxication | 53 | 17 | 36 | .81 | . . . |
| Marijuana | 77 | 27 | 50 | .63 | . . . |
| Hard drugs (cocaine, heroin, or amphetamines) | 38 | 11 | 27 | .57 | . . . |
| Health care access variables | |||||
| Has health insurance | 231 | 75 | 156 | .72 | . . . |
| ED visit in past 12 mo | 118 | 37 | 81 | .58 | . . . |
| Hospitalized in past 12 months | 56 | 14 | 42 | .15 | . . . |
| Nutrition variables | |||||
| Daily fruit intake | 1.35 (1.2) | 1.5 (1.4) | 1.2 (1.07) | .79 | . . . |
| Daily vegetable intake | 1.52 (1.6) | 1.7 (2.3) | 1.4 (1.1) | .10 | 0.91 (0.75, 1.10) |
| Self-rated eating habits (0–10; higher scores indicate better habits) | 5.3 (2.4) | 6.2 (2.5) | 4.9 (4.5) | < .01 | 0.83 (0.72, 0.96) |
| Socioeconomic variables | |||||
| Duration of lifetime homelessness | 7.9 (8.1) | 6.9 (7.3) | 8.4 (8.4) | .18 | . . . |
| Length of time in supportive housing | 4.7 (3.6) | 5.2 (4.5) | 4.5 (3.1) | .16 | . . . |
| High-school diploma or GED or greater education | 156 | 58 | 98 | .05 | 0.47 (0.22, 0.98) |
| Currently employed | 12 | 5 | 7 | .51 | . . . |
| Average total monthly income (including illicit or under-the-table resources), $ | 844 (521) | 1001 (752) | 766 (332) | < .01 | 0.92 (0.86, 0.99) |
| Currently receiving SNAP benefits | 84 | 24 | 60 | .29 | . . . |
| Accessed food aid in past 6 mo | 142 | 33 | 109 | < .01 | 2.94 (1.50, 5.75) |
| Late in paying bills at least once in past 12 mo | 84 | 17 | 67 | < .01 | 2.27 (1.10, 4.72) |
| Utilities shut off at least once in past 12 mo | 32 | 7 | 25 | .14 | . . . |
Note. ADL = activities of daily living; AOR = adjusted odds ratio; CI = confidence interval; ED = emergency department; GED = general educational development; MMSE = Mini Mental Status Exam; PHQ-9 = Patient Health Questionnaire-9; SNAP = Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
For univariable models, the t test was performed for continuous variables, and the χ2 test was performed for categorical variables, comparing individuals in the high or marginal and low or very low food security groups.
For multivariable analysis, n = 231 because of missing data. Adjusted odds ratios controlled for other covariates in the model and gender, race/ethnicity, and age.