Understanding Food Insecurity in the Elderly: A Conceptual Framework

In order to determine the potential effects of changes in welfare, health, and nutrition programs on food insecurity in the elderly, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing food insecurity in this population group. Using a naturalistic paradigm and methods, a conceptual framework of factors that influence food insecurity status was developed based on in-depth interviews with 41 low-income rural white and urban black elderly individuals in 35 households in upstate New York.The conceptual framework depicts how several sets of factors, particularly health, food program participation, and life experiences, relate to food insecurity in the elderly. The use of several food assistance programs by low-income elderly, their views on such programs, and a unique “grocery bag” program for homebound elderly who can cook for themselves also are discussed.