Author(s)

Boris Ronald Tonou Tchuente^1,2, Pauline Vervaine Hagbe¹, Hippolyte Tene Mouafo², Janvier Aime Fotso Youovop¹, Ousmane Mfopou Mbiondi¹, Javeres Leonel Ntepe Mbah^3,4, Roussel Guy Nguemto Takuissu^1,2, Raissa Francoise Ntentie⁵, Boris Gabin Kingue Azantsa¹, Judith Laure Ngondi^1,6*, Julius Oben Enyong¹

¹Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde 1, Yaounde, Cameroon.
²Centre for Food, Food Security and Nutrition Research, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon.
³Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan.
⁴Laboratory of Human Metabolism and Non-Communicable Disease, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon.
⁵Higher Teacher’s and Training College, University of Yaounde 1, Yaounde, Cameroon.
⁶Center of Nutrition and Functional Foods, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Diabetes and hypertension are the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors. Recent studies showed an increase in the prevalence of food insecurity in our country. The aim of this study was to assess how food insecurity affects the dietary habits, socio-demographic characteristics and metabolic profile of individuals with diabetes or hypertension. This case-control study was conducted among diabetic and hypertensive participants (cases) and diabetic and hypertensive normal (controls) during the screening campaigns for nutrition-related chronic diseases. The sociodemographic, clinical and biochemical parameters of the participants were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with diabetes and hypertension in the study population. Bivariate analyses showed that male gender (OR = 1.972; 95% CI: 1.250 - 3.089), regular alcohol consumption (OR = 2.012; 95% CI: 1.294 - 3.130), low fruit consumption (OR = 1.590; 95% CI: 1.016 - 2.488), low dietary diversity (OR = 2.915; 95% CI: 1.658 - 5.127) and abdominal obesity (OR = 1.893, CI 95% 1.203 - 2.978) were significantly associated with hypertension. In addition, low fruit consumption (OR = 1.829; 95% CI 1.092 - 3.064), low legume consumption (OR = 3.515; 95% CI 1.861 - 6.635), and hypertriglyceridaemia (OR = 2.241, 95% CI 1.139 - 4.408) were significantly associated with diabetes. The indirect association observed between food insecurity and diabetes and hypertension suggests the need for nutritional policies aimed at popularizing the production and consumption of fruits and legumes. Similarly, health services need to be aware and informed of the important role that food insecurity can play in the development of diabetes and hypertension.

Food Insecurity, Diabetes, Hypertension, Cameroon

Tchuente, B. , Hagbe, P. , Mouafo, H. , Youovop, J. , Mbiondi, O. , Mbah, J. , Takuissu, R. , Ntentie, R. , Azantsa, B. , Ngondi, J. and Enyong, J. (2024) Diabetes and Hypertension Are Associated with Food Insecurity in a Cameroonian Population: A Case-Control Study. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 12, 1-21. doi: 10.4236/jbm.2024.122001.