Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences , King Abdulaziz University, 21589, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan, 48109, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
BMC Geriatr. 2024 Feb 1;24(1):126. doi: 10.1186/s12877-024-04716-9.
Food insecurity is a significant health issue among older adults and contributes to poorer quality of life and mental health. However, limited evidence is available among older adults. Thus, the study evaluated the associations between food security and multiple outcomes related to health-related quality of life. We examined whether participants' sex and participation in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/or receiving the Food Stamp program might modify these associations.
Cross-sectional analysis of the 2007-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). A sample of 3,375 adults aged ≥ 60 years with household incomes ≤ 300% of the federal poverty level (FPBL). Food security was assessed using the 18-item US Household Food Security Survey Module and categorized as food security, marginal food security, and food insecurity. Outcomes were the CDC Health-Related Quality of Life measures (HRQOL-4).
Approximately 8% experienced marginal food security and 12% experienced food insecurity. Over the past month, food insecurity was significantly associated with ≥ 16 days of poor physical health (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.23, 2.85, P-trend = 0.005), ≥ 16 days of poor mental health (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.50, 3.28, P-trend < 0.0001), and ≥ 16 days of feeling anxious (OR 3.33, 95% CI 2.30, 4.81, P-trend < 0.0001) after multivariate adjustment. The association between food insecurity and poor physical health was stronger in females (P-interaction = 0.02). There was no evidence for effect modification in any of these associations among those receiving benefits from the federal SNAP/Food Stamp program.
Food insecurity was positively associated with multiple adverse health outcomes. Public health programs and policies targeted for older adults are needed to mitigate the extent of food insecurity to promote overall health and well-being.
粮食不安全是老年人面临的一个重大健康问题，会导致生活质量和心理健康状况恶化。然而，针对老年人的相关证据有限。因此，本研究评估了粮食安全与与健康相关的生活质量相关的多种结果之间的关联。我们研究了参与者的性别以及是否参与联邦补充营养援助计划（SNAP）/或接受食品券计划是否会改变这些关联。
对 2007-2012 年全国健康和营养检查调查（NHANES）进行横断面分析。样本包括 3375 名年龄≥60 岁且家庭收入≤联邦贫困线（FPBL）的 300%的成年人。使用 18 项美国家庭粮食安全调查模块评估粮食安全状况，并将其分为粮食安全、边缘粮食安全和粮食不安全。结果是疾病预防控制中心与健康相关的生活质量指标（HRQOL-4）。
约 8%的人经历了边缘粮食安全，12%的人经历了粮食不安全。在过去的一个月中，粮食不安全与≥16 天的身体欠佳（OR 1.88，95%CI 1.23，2.85，P-trend=0.005）、≥16 天的心理健康欠佳（OR 2.22，95%CI 1.50，3.28，P-trend<0.0001）和≥16 天的焦虑感（OR 3.33，95%CI 2.30，4.81，P-trend<0.0001）显著相关，调整多变量后。粮食不安全与女性身体欠佳之间的关联更强（P 交互作用=0.02）。在接受联邦 SNAP/食品券计划福利的人群中，这些关联中没有证据表明存在效应修饰。
粮食不安全与多种不良健康结果呈正相关。需要针对老年人制定公共卫生计划和政策，以减轻粮食不安全的程度，促进整体健康和福祉。
