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Associations between low food security and subjective memory complaints among Latino adults
Low food security has been linked to poorer cognitive function, and deteriorating mental health, such as increased anxiety and depression, may help explain this relationship. Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) serve as key indicators of everyday memory issues. Although food insecurity is more prevalent among Latinos, little research has examined the connection between low food security and SMCs in this population or explored potential mechanisms driving this association. This study by Saenz & Tanner (2025) analyzed data from 2,481 self-identified Latino patients (ages 18–85) from the Sangre Por Salud Biobank, a federally qualified community health center in Phoenix, AZ. Food security levels were measured using the 6-item Household Food Security Survey Module, while memory complaints were assessed with the Frequency of Forgetting Scale. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between food insecurity and SMCs, the role of anxiety and depression in this association, and whether age or biological sex influenced these effects. Approximately 76% of participants were food secure, while 18% and 6% experienced low and very low food security, respectively. Compared to those with food security, individuals experiencing food insecurity reported more frequent memory complaints. These associations remained consistent across different age groups and sexes. However, after adjusting for anxiety and depression, the relationship between food insecurity and SMCs was no longer statistically significant, suggesting that mental health may mediate this connection. Low food security was associated with increased memory complaints. Since SMCs are early indicators of cognitive decline and dementia, addressing food insecurity could have potential cognitive benefits. Future research should explore interventions targeting food insecurity and its impact on mental health to mitigate long-term cognitive risks. [NPID: Food security, subjective memory, cognition, Latino, mental health, anxiety, depression]
Year: 2025
