Food insecurity and depressive symptoms among older adults assisted by the Family Health Strategy in the Northeast region of Brazil

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to investigate the association between depressive symptoms and food insecurity in households with older adults. Methods This is a cross-sectional, quantitative study conducted with community-dwelling older adults attended to in the Family Health Strategy in a municipality in the Brazilian Northeast. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Geriatric Depression Scale and food insecurity was assessed using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. The chi-squared test was applied for a bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression was used to verify the association between depressive symptoms and food insecurity, adjusted for potential confounding variables. The significance level was p<0.05. Results A total of 316 older adults were evaluated, with a mean age of 70.5 (±7.5 years). The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 27.5% and that of food insecurity was 63.3%, with 25.6% of households with older adults experiencing moderate/severe insecurity. In the multivariate analysis, households experiencing mild food insecurity presented 3 times (OR: 3.02; 95% CI: 1.42-6.39) more chance of developing depressive symptoms, while in those experiencing moderate/severe food insecurity the chance was 5 times higher (OR: 5.01; 95% CI: 2.30-10.92). Conclusion An association was found between food insecurity and depressive symptoms in households with older adults of the Family Health Strategy, with more chances for those experiencing moderate/severe food insecurity.

The impact of food insecurity on mental health among older adults residing in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review

“…10 of the 12 studies included in the review collected data from participants throughout the country, while the other two studies had a regional focus. For example, in one study, only older adults in the municipality of Barreiras in Bahia, Brazil were used [ 47 ]. Another study only focused on older adults from the Kaniyambadi block of Vellore district, a rural south Indian community [ 54 ].…”

“…Among the studies, six considered older adults to be 50 and above [ 43 , 44 , 46 , 49 – 51 ]. Four studies focused solely on adults aged 60 and [ 45 , 47 , 48 , 53 ]. In contrast, the rest of the studies included in the review had participants aged 65 and above [ 52 , 54 ].…”

“…Two studies used responses to a 5-item questionnaire on food security adapted from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India survey as their food insecurity outcome [ 45 , 53 ]. The study based in Brazil used the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale [ 47 ]. Lastly, one study had participants answer, “experiencing hunger within the previous month?” [ 54 ].…”

“…Food is associated with emotions, memories, and feelings of people, moments, and places from an older adult’s past experiences. Hence, when experiencing food insecurity, these individuals eat less food that typically gives them pleasure [ 47 ]. Food insecurity also leads to the disruptions of meal patterns, family rituals, and intra-generational transfer of knowledge and practices.…”