Clinical Management of Food-Insecure Individuals With Diabetes

Abstract

In Brief More than 14% of the U.S. population is food-insecure or at risk of running out of money for food. Food-insecure adults are at high risk for diabetes, and food-insecure adults with diabetes are at high risk for both hyper- and hypoglycemia. The clinical management of food-insecure individuals with diabetes can be challenging, but referrals to food resources, nutrition counseling that recognizes the challenges of food insecurity, smoking cessation support, and appropriate treatment of hypoglycemia may help these individuals reduce both hyper- and hypoglycemia. It is appropriate to screen individuals with diabetes who are receiving care in safety-net settings for food insecurity.