Table 2 Multivariate-adjusted associations ^a between food security status and health-related quality of life among US older adults attending National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2012

Days of poor physical health/ month

0.28

0.02*

0 days (Ref.)

1–5 days

Ref.

0.96 (0.67, 1.38)

0.82

1.98 (1.39, 2.83) *

0.0002**

0.0007**

6–15 days

Ref.

1.06 (0.67, 1.67)

0.81

1.91 (1.21, 3.02) *

0.005*

0.009**

16–30 days

Ref.

1.23 (0.82, 1.84)

0.32

1.88 (1.23, 2.85) *

0.003*

0.005**

Days of poor mental health/ month

0.3

0.35

0 days (Ref.)

1–5 days

Ref.

1.25 (0.86, 1.82)

0.25

0.86 (0.56, 1.33)

0.50

0.75

6–15 days

Ref.

1.51 (0.87, 2.64)

0.15

1.85 (1.14, 3.00) *

0.01*

0.01*

16–30 days

Ref.

1.77 (1.03, 3.02) *

0.04*

2.22 (1.50, 3.28) *

< 0.0001**

< 0.0001**

Days felt worried, tense, or anxious/ month

0.81

0.34

0 days (Ref.)

1–5 days

Ref.

1.41 (0.99, 2.01)

0.06

1.72 (1.28, 2.31) *

0.0003**

0.0001**

6–15 days

Ref.

1.32 (0.77, 2.24)

0.31

2.78 (1.94, 4.00) *

< 0.0001**

< 0.0001**

16–30 days

Ref.

1.62 (1.09, 2.40) *

0.02*

3.33 (2.30, 4.81) *

< 0.0001**

< 0.0001**