BACKGROUND: Food insecurity is a growing public health concern, particularly among older adults, as it has been linked to adverse health outcomes, including chronic diseases, sarcopenia and functional decline. However, its direct association with all-cause and premature mortality remains underexplored. AIMS: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between food insecurity and mortality among individuals aged 50 years and older using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). METHODS: A longitudinal analysis was conducted using data from ELSA wave 2 (2004-2005), including 8,686 participants aged ≥ 50 years with available information on food insecurity. Food insecurity was assessed through a single-item self-reported measure. All-cause and early mortality were determined using linked mortality records. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for key sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health-related confounders. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, food insecurity was significantly associated with a 41% higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.04-2.82, p = 0.035) after full adjustment for confounders. Additionally, food insecurity was linked to a 126% increased risk of premature mortality (HR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.26-4.02, p = 0.006). DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that addressing food insecurity could represent a novel strategy to prevent sarcopenia and related mortality in older adults. CONCLUSIONS: Given its significant public health implications, targeted interventions are essential to reduce food insecurity and its associated health burden, ultimately improving longevity and quality of life among aging populations.
Gianfredi et al. (Wed,) studied this question.