Participation in Food Assistance Programs Modifies the Relation of Food Insecurity with Weight and Depression in Elders

Abstract

The relation of food insecurity in elders with outcomes such as overweight and depression, and the influence of participation in food assistance programs on these relations, has not been established. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between food insecurity and weight and depression in elders, and determine whether participation in food assistance programs modifies the effect of food insecurity on weight and depression. Two longitudinal data sets were used: the Health and Retirement Study (1996-2002) and the Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (1995-2002). The relation of food insecurity and participation in food assistance programs was assessed by multilevel linear regression analysis. Food insecurity was positively related to weight and depression among elders. Some analyses supported that food-insecure elders who participated in food assistance programs were less likely to be overweight and depressed than those who did not participate in food assistance programs. This finding implies that food assistance programs can have both nutritional and non-nutritional impacts. The positive impact of participation in food assistance programs of reducing or preventing poor outcomes resulting from food insecurity will improve elders' quality of life, save on their healthcare expenses, and help to meet their nutritional needs.

Indicators of Material Hardship and Depressive Symptoms Among Homebound Older Adults Living in North Carolina

“…The current findings contribute additional evidence that health is adversely affected by an inability to meet essential needs for food, housing, and health care (10,(15)(16)(17). These findings are supported by others who report a positive relationship between material hardship and adverse health outcomes (15,17), financial hardship and depressive symptoms (10,11,23), and food insecurity and depressive symptoms among older adults (22). Several relevant studies have relied on longitudinal data for determining the relationship between material hardship or general financial hardship and depressive symptoms (10,22), which offer additional support for including the effects of hardship in studies of population health.…”

“…Estimates for the prevalence of depressive symptoms for homebound older adults vary from 28.8% (21) to 42% (11). Studies with older adults typically focus on the relationship between symptoms of depression and one component of material hardship such as food insecurity or general financial hardship (10,22,23). Unfortunately, no existing studies of older adults and depressive symptoms have placed financial hardship within the broader context of material hardship (10,11,16,23).…”

Food Insecurity, Food and Nutrition Programs, and Aging: Experiences from Georgia

“…Food insecurity in older adults is associated with numerous unfavorable nutrition and nonnutrition-related outcomes that may affect the health and well-being of the older population. Food insecurity is associated with low nutrient intakes (9,(28)(29)(30), increased nutrition risk (28,31), and unhealthy weight and body size (9,32). Food insecurity in older adults is also associated with poorer self-reported health status (9,23,28,33), anemia (23), multimorbidity and disability (30,34), poorer physical performance (23,33), lower cognitive function (35), anxiety and depression (23,32,36), and decreased quality of life (23,37).…”

Food Insecurity Is Associated with Greater Acute Care Utilization among HIV-Infected Homeless and Marginally Housed Individuals in San Francisco

“…13,14 Food insecurity, the limited availability of nutritionally adequate or safe food, or the inability to procure food in socially acceptable ways, 15 is an important form of socioeconomic marginalization. In the general population, food insecurity has been associated with many adverse health impacts, including poor nutritional status, [16][17][18][19][20][21] depression, [22][23][24][25][26] suicidal ideation, 26 obesity, 27 and increased cardiovascular risk. 28,29 Cross-sectional studies among non-HIV infected individuals in the US found that food insecurity is associated with postponing needed medications and care, increased emergency department use, and increased hospitalizations.…”