SENIOR HUNGER

Food insecurity threatened 14.7% of seniors in 2015, a slight decrease from the prior year. Researchers have documented the characteristics of the seniors who struggle with this problem. They found:

• Seniors who are racial or ethnic minorities, low-income, or younger vs. older (age 60-69 vs. age 80+) were most likely to be affected.
• Seniors with a disability were disproportionately affected, with 38% reporting marginal food security.
• Senior food insecurity rates vary by state, ranging from 6.1% in North Dakota to 24.3% in Mississippi. Connecticut’s rate was 14.2%

Food insecurity adversely affects a person’s health, and the implications can be particularly problematic for seniors. Compared to food-secure seniors, food-insecure seniors: (1) consume fewer calories and lower quantities of key nutrients and (2) are more likely to experience negative health conditions, including depression, asthma, and chest pain

Source: National Foundation to End Senior Hunger, 9/18/17, Senior Hunger