Cognitive Decline and Food Insecurity in Older Brazilian Adults Registered with Primary Health Care: A Cross-sectional Study

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Introduction: Cognitive decline (CD) is the deterioration of intellectual abilities, damaging areas such as memory, language, and learning. An insufficient diet, common among those facing food insecurity (FI), can contribute to CD in older adults by affecting nutrient intake, and the maintenance of nutritional and health status. Objective: To determine the association between FI and CD in older adults enrolled in Primary Health Care (PHC). Method: This is a cross-sectional study of older people aged 60 or over living in private households in a municipality in the Northeast of Brazil, and registered with the Family Health Strategy (FHS). The dependent variable (CD) was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). FI was evaluated using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA). Descriptive analysis, Pearson’s chi-squared test, and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Results: Three hundred and sixteen older adults were assessed, 63.3% of whom faced FI and 59.8% of whom presented with CD. Bivariate analysis revealed an association between CD and FI (p-value = .026). The results of the logistic regression only showed a statistically significant association between moderate/severe FI and CD (OR = 1.878; 95% CI: 1.002 - 3.521). There was no association between mild FI and CD (OR = 1.529; 95% CI: 0.888 - 2.634). Discussion and conclusion: This study revealed an association between moderate/severe FI and CD in older PHC patients. Restricted dietary habits in regard to both quantity and quality may make this population more susceptible to CD.