Food Insecurity Among Older Adults: A Multilevel Analysis of State-Level Interventions

Background and Objectives Food insecurity is considered an increasing public health problem worldwide with adverse effects, especially among older adults. Although the literature related to food insecurity among older adults in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is expanding, little is known about existing patterns and knowledge gaps in these settings. This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current research related to food insecurity among older adults in LMIC. Research Design and Methods A systematic search was conducted in November 2021 and revised in July 2022 on six databases using terms related to food insecurity and older adults. Data were extracted and the emerging themes from the main findings were summarized using a Social-Ecological Model (SEM). Results Forty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Almost half (48.8%) were published in the last two years and utilized a quantitative approach (n=38). Only one study was conducted in a low-income country. Using the SEM, most studies included in this review focused on addressing the relationship between food insecurity with intrapersonal factors. Discussion and Implications Several gaps in the current literature were identified. There is a lack of longitudinal and qualitative studies available on this topic. Also, only fifteen LMIC were represented in the literature. A critical point in this review is that only a few studies addressed the relationship between food insecurity and the policy/social structure, institutional, community and interpersonal levels. These identified gaps can serve as a guide for future research on this topic.

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Food Insecurity Among Older Adults Living in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review

Freiria

Arikawa

Horn

et al. 2022

The Gerontologist

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An ecological systems analysis of food access barriers and coping strategies adopted by older adults in Ghana

Braimah¹,

Rosenberg²

2021

Canadian Geographies / Géographies canadiennes

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The barriers to accessing food and strategies adopted by older adults in Ghana are distinct but interconnected and are produced by both individual and structural factors.• An ecological systems theory offers a useful perspective for understanding the food access experiences of older adults in low-income contexts. • Addressing the food needs of older people will require a multilevel, comprehensive approach that targets the individual and broader human environment.The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development commits to ending hunger and achieving food security for all. However, little is known about the food access experiences of older adults in Ghana. This paper explores if there are barriers to accessing food and if there are, what strategies have been adopted to negotiate these barriers.Through purposive sampling, a total of 123 older adults were recruited in Ghana to participate in sharing circles (n = 10) and semi-structured interviews (n = 42). Data analyses were done in NVivo using a thematic analytical approach. Functional impairment and poor health, poverty, inadequate social support, lack of control over household resources, policy neglect, low crop yields, and sociocultural values were found to hinder older people's access to food. They navigate these barriers by rationing meals, engaging in income-earning activities, seeking support from social networks, and begging. Our findings contribute to discourses on food security and highlight the need for a multilevel, comprehensive approach that targets both the individual and the broader human environment in addressing the food needs of older people.

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Food Insecurity Among Older Adults: A Multilevel Analysis of State-Level Interventions

Cited by 2 publications

References 43 publications

Food Insecurity Among Older Adults Living in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review

Food Insecurity Among Older Adults Living in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review

An ecological systems analysis of food access barriers and coping strategies adopted by older adults in Ghana

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