Factors Associated With Food Insecurity Among U.S. Elderly Persons: Importance of Functional Impairments

OBJECTIVES: The authors examined factors associated with the food insecurity of elderly persons in the United States and particularly how functional impairments were associated with food insecurity. METHODS: Data were from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-94) and the Nutrition Survey of the Elderly in New York State (1994). The authors used multiple logistic regression and a hierarchical logistic regression analyses to examine how functional impairments as well as sociodemographic and economic factors contributed to food insecurity in elderly persons. RESULTS: Low income, low education, minority status, food assistance program participation, and social isolation were significantly related with food insecurity. Functional impairments were significantly related with food insecurity among elderly persons even after those factors were controlled. DISCUSSION: Food security in elderly persons is associated with functional impairments, suggesting that food insecurity in elderly persons comprises not only limited food affordability, availability, and accessibility but also altered food use. Food-insecure elderly persons experience multiple problems that prevent them from achieving nutritional well-being and seeking food assistance programs. Nutrition services should recognize and provide services to cover those needs.