Predictors and Inter-Linkage of Household and Individual Food Insecurity in Urban Geriatric Subjects: A Community Based Study from India

Abstract

Food insecurity affects many dimensions of well-being. It may lead to under nutrition. Although geriatric subjects from food insecure households are more likely to have inadequate energy, household food security does not necessarily guarantee for energy adequacy at individual level. This community based cross-sectional study was conducted on 616 geriatric subjects to find out predictors of food insecurity at household and individual level and examine energy adequacy at family versus individual level. Subjects were selected by multistage sampling procedure from urban Varanasi, India. A predesigned, pretested proforma was used for collecting socioeconomic information. Food insecurity was assessed using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale; 24 hours recall method was used for energy intakes. For analysis of data SPSS version 22.0 was used. χ2 and logistic regression were used for inferential purpose. Food insecurity at household was 68.2%.The significant association of marital status, religion, type and size of family and literacy status with household food insecurity in univariate analysis got eliminated after applying logistic regression analysis; Adjusted Odds Ratios were higher for SC/ST Caste (2.13; 95% CI: 1-4.5) and upper lower plus lower socio economic status(24.13; 95% CI: 13.87-44.61). On energy intake considerations, of 53.9% subjects with household food insecurity, 80.7% had individual food insecurity whereas of 46.1% subjects with household food security 63.7% subjects had individual food insecurity. Caste and socioeconomic class predicted food insecurity at household level. Energy adequacy at family level did not ensure energy adequacy in geriatric subjects.

Food Insecurity and Malnutrition among Indian Older Adults: Findings from Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, 2017-18

“…Older adults who were never married and divorced/separated/deserted have recorded a dramatically higher prevalence of food insecurity than married and widowed older adults. This finding is supported by a recent study in urban Varanasi, India (Keshari & Shankar, 2021 ). In household characteristics, older adults living in rural, SC/ST, and lower MPCE households have a higher prevalence of moderate and severe food insecurity.…”

“…Among all the age groups, older adults may have been the most severely affected because they are more susceptible to food insecurity. This can be attributed to fewer economic opportunities, low-paying jobs, social isolation, living alone, minority status and functional impairments in old age (Lee & Frongillo Jr, 2001 ; Simsek et al, 2013 ); and their reliance on other family members to meet their daily and healthcare needs (Keshari & Shankar, 2021 ).…”

“…According to our knowledge, the association between food insecurity and malnutrition has not been investigated in the Indian context. Existing studies in India have examined the risk factors of malnutrition (Arlappa et al, 2006 ; Rajkamal et al, 2015 ; Konda et al, 2018 ; Khole & Soletti 2018 ) and food insecurity (Chinnakali et al, 2014 ; Saxena et al, 2020 ; Keshari & Shankar, 2021 ) among older adults but have not investigated their association. Moreover, there is significantly higher heterogeneity among these studies in terms of both prevalence and risk of malnutrition and food insecurity.…”