Dietary and health characteristics of food insecure older adult senior center participants in Georgia

Abstract

This study compared food insecure (FI) and food secure (FS) older adults from senior centers in all 12 Georgia Area Agencies on Aging (convenience sample, n = 572, mean age = 75.6, 81.8% female, 66.4% white, 18.2% to 19.8% FI). FI was measured with the Nutrition Screening Initiative and the USDA Six-Item Short Form of the US Household Food Security Survey Module. In bivariate analyses, both FI measures were associated significantly (P < 0.05) with younger age, being black vs. white, using food assistance, diabetes, arthritis, joint pain, and diet (lower vegetable intake and fewer days of the week consumed five or more fruits and vegetables). There is an urgent need to address FI in Georgia senior centers. FI was about three times higher than the national average in older adults (6.5%, Nord et al., 2008), despite food stamp, food bank and pantry usage and congregate meal participation.