Relationship between food security and dietary habits and subjective sense of health and subjective sense of well-being among residents of large-scale housing complexes in Japan

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to determine the relationship between food security and dietary habits and subjective health and subjective well-being among residents of a large-scale housing complex in Japan. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design through a self-administered questionnaire survey. The study subjects were residents of Mukogawa Danchi in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, and data from 515 households out of 6,857 total dwelling units were used for the analysis. Food security status (HFSSM), dietary diversity score (HDDS), diet, eating behavior, subjective sense of health, and subjective sense of well-being were examined using logistic regression analysis. Results: Food insecurity was negatively associated with household dietary diversity scores (OR [95%CI]:0.49 [0.24–0.98] p = 0.044). Similarly, food insecurity was negatively associated with having a nutritionally balanced diet and having a satisfactory amount of food. There was also a negative association with family meals. There was a negative association between food insecurity and a subjective sense of health and a negative association (0.35 [0.15–0.78] p = 0.011) with a subjective sense of well-being among those aged 65 and older. Conclusions: In a large-scale housing complex in Japan, inadequate dietary intake was observed in food-insecure households; they ate meals less frequently with their families. Additionally, residents experiencing food insecurity tended to have lower subjective health and subjective well-being, depending on their age.