1 in 12 U.S. Seniors Lack Access to Adequate Food, Study

A latest study highlights the existence of food insecurity among seniors in the United States stating one in 12 seniors lack access to adequate food.

Researchers at the University of Illinois arrived at the figures after analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Analysis revealed that seniors do not get adequate food mostly due to lack of money or other financial resources. These seniors who are dealing with hunger experience negative health outcomes.

According to Craig Gundersen at the University of Illinois, around 8.35 percent of U.S. seniors of age 60 and above faced the threat of hunger in the year 2011.

 Due to inadequate access to food, seniors end up consuming fewer calories, vitamins and other essential nutrients. Due to the lack of all this, they become vulnerable to an array of ailments.

"Seniors who are food insecure reported higher incidence of diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart attack, gum disease, and a host of other health problems than adults their age who are food secure," Gundersen said. "In addition, food-insecure seniors have worse general health outcomes, more daily activity limitations, and are more likely to suffer from depression.

Studies conducted earlier that focused on the health consequences of food insecurity among seniors did not consider the national representative data sets.  Due the nationally representative data, the researchers were able to compare seniors of age 60 and more to those of ages 50-59. Doing so helped the researchers  understand what the younger group should focus on as they step into their golden years.

"Food insecurity rates among seniors were almost three times as high if grandchildren were present in the home in comparison to homes without grandchildren present," Gundersen said. "And those seniors with grandchildren in the house had lower nutrient intakes than those without grandchildren. We think this may be because adults in households with grandchildren are foregoing healthy diets in order to make sure their grandchildren have enough to eat."

The researchers highlight that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps seniors lower food insecurity. Hence, policymakers and program administrators should work toward encouraging seniors to participate in SNAP.