**3. Results**

The final analytical sample comprised 3,672 individuals aged ≥50 years [mean (SD) age 61.4 (18.3) years; 56% females]. The proportion of those aged 50–64 and ≥65 years was 66.8% and 33.2%, respectively. Overall, the prevalence of MCI was 8.5% (95%CI = 6.9–10.3), while the prevalence of moderate (unweighted *n* = 332) and severe (unweighted *n* = 677) food insecurity was 11.0% (95%CI = 9.0–13.4) and 20.8% (95%CI = 17.9–23.9), respectively. The sample characteristics are shown in Table 1. Compared to respondents without food insecurity, those who were food insecure were significantly more likely to have less education and wealth, and lower levels of physical activity, and be of Black race.


**Table 1.** Sample characteristics (overall and by food insecurity).

Abbreviation: SD Standard deviation; BMI Body mass index; Data are percentage unless otherwise stated. a *p*-value was calculated by Chi-squared tests and Student's *t*-tests for categorical and continuous variables, respectively.

The prevalence of MCI was higher among those with food insecurity than in those without food insecurity (Figure 1). For example, overall, the prevalence of MCI among those without food insecurity was 5.9% but this increased to 14.8% and 13.5% among those with moderate and severe food insecurity, respectively.

**Figure 1.** Prevalence of mild cognitive impairment by food insecurity status. Estimates are based on weighted sample. Bars denote 95% confidence interval.

The association between food insecurity and MCI estimated by multivariable logistic regression is shown in Table 2. After adjustment for a variety of sociodemographic and behavioral factors as well as physical health conditions and depression, compared to no food insecurity, moderate and severe food insecurity were associated with 2.82 (95%CI = 1.65–4.84) and 2.51 (95%CI = 1.63–3.87) times higher odds for MCI, respectively, in the overall sample. These estimates were not substantially different from the model that did not include depression with the corresponding figures being 2.83 (95%CI = 1.65–4.85) and 2.58 (95%CI = 1.68–3.97), respectively (data shown only in text). The OR among those aged ≥65 years with severe food insecurity was particularly elevated (OR = 3.87; 95%CI = 2.20–6.81).


**Table 2.** Association of food insecurity and other covariates with mild cognitive impairment (outcome) estimated by multivariable logistic regression.

Abbreviation: OR Odds ratio; CI Confidence interval; BMI Body mass index. Models are mutually adjusted for all variables in the Table. \* *p* < 0.05, \*\* *p* < 0.01, \*\*\* *p* < 0.001.
