Food Insecurity, Food and Nutrition Programs, and Aging: Experiences from Georgia

Abstract

Food insecurity and hunger are real and growing problems in the United States. Among older adults, the prevalence of food insecurity is at a 14-year high and occurred in more than 8% of households with older adults in 2008 according to USDA. However, the rate is at least 10% higher when less severe degrees of food insecurity are considered. Emerging research suggests that several segments of the older adult population are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity, including those receiving or requesting congregate meals, home-delivered meals, and other community-based services. Thus, national and state estimates of food insecurity may obscure problems in specific subgroups of older adults. Older adults are at high risk of chronic health problems that can be exacerbated by food insecurity, poor nutritional status, and low physical activity. To help improve targeting of food and nutrition programs to those most in need because of food insecurity and/or nutrition-related chronic health problems, the purposes of this review are (1) to define the prevalence and consequences of food insecurity; (2) to discuss the outcomes of some food, nutrition, disease prevention, and health promotion programs targeted to older adults in Georgia, the state with the 3rd highest prevalence of food insecurity; and (3) to make recommendations for research, service, and advocacy related to monitoring and alleviating food insecurity and related health problems in older adults.

KEYWORDS:

• congregate meals
• food insecurity
• health promotion
• home-delivered meals
• older adults
• Older Americans Act

We appreciate the support of all of our students and community partners over the years. We would especially like to thank Ms. Sudha Reddy, MS, RD, Chief Nutritionist and Wellness Program Director, Georgia Division of Aging Services, Mr. Arvine Brown, MPA, Program Administrator, Georgia Division of Aging Services, and Ms. Peggy Jenkins, Director, Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging for their enthusiasm for our ongoing community and university partnerships. Lastly, we thank Ms. Kathryn N. Porter and Ms. Sarah E. Peskoe for their helpful suggestions in early drafts of this manuscript. Supported by the Department of Foods and Nutrition and the Georgia Agricultural Experimentation, University of Georgia (HATCH #GEO 00576 and #GEO 00575).

Notes

*Leadership for Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging from the Department of Foods and Nutrition, The University of Georgia.

*Abbreviation: CPS = Current Population Survey, GA Advanced POMP6 = Georgia Advanced Performance Outcomes Measures Project 6, HFSSM = Household Food Security Survey Module, NSI = Nutrition Screening Initiative, OAANP = Older Americans Act Nutrition Program.

†“Do you always have enough money to buy the food you need?”

*Additional versions with 24 and 32 chair exercises for older adults are available online at http://www.livewellagewell.info/study/2007/12-ChairExercisesUGA113006.pdf, http://www.livewellagewell.info/study/2008/13-ChairExercisesBallsBands.pdf