scholarly journals The importance of social financial support in reducing food insecurity among elderly people

Food Security ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Gajda ◽  
Marzena Jeżewska-Zychowicz
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Older People ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Financial Support ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
Financial Assistance ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Social

AbstractThe growing number of elderly people who are at increased risk of food insecurity for a variety of reasons, including financial ones, requires the current situation to be monitored. The purpose of this research was therefore to determine: (1) how older people perceive their situation in terms of food security; (2) whether older people use any form of external financial support; and (3) the relationship between people’s perception of their food security and the use of financial support from social services and their family. The survey was conducted on a group of 1150 people aged 65 years and above at the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019. In total, 762 questionnaires were analysed for the study. The study was conducted in the Świętokrzyskie and Śląskie voivodeships (provinces). Multivariate correspondence analysis (MCA) and the chi-square test were used to compare qualitative variables describing food security, financial assistance and socio-demographic features. Over two thirds of the respondents declared that they had no need of financial assistance from the social services or their family. Two categories of variables were selected using the MCA method: people who declared that their household had food security and that they had no need for financial assistance from social services or their family, and people who said they did not have food security and simultaneously used financial assistance or did not use such assistance but had financial problems. Place of residence and household composition were features that significantly distinguished the opinions about the lack of food security. Financial social programmes and the social education of families should be improved to minimize the risk of food insecurity in households of elderly people, especially those not benefiting from financial social support.

scholarly journals Social Service Centers as Agents of Digital Socialization of Elderly People: on the Example of Organizing Computer Literacy Courses

2020 ◽  
pp. 15-19
Author(s):  
Olga Vasilyevna Zayats ◽  
Nadezhda Vladimirovna Osmachko
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Computer Literacy ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Municipal Services ◽  
Sociological Study ◽  
The Social ◽  
Older Citizens

The paper reveals the essence and significance of digital socialization of older people, the importance of overcoming social exclusion by older citizens in terms of access to digital technologies. The purpose of the paper is to reveal the role of social service centers for the population, which act as agents of digital socialization of older people (based on the materials of a sociological study). The objects of the study were elderly people receiving social services in the Primorsky Center for Social Services of the Population, and senior citizens who were trained in computer literacy courses. The authors set the fol-lowing tasks: to determine elderly people’s interest in mastering computer literacy and how effective the “Internet ABC” program is. In addition, it was sup-posed to establish the importance of integrated cen-ters of social services for the population in ensuring computer literacy of pensioners. As a result of a sociological study, it was found that older people show a significant interest in modern information technologies. Computer courses organized on the basis of the center for social services help elderly people to get information about state and municipal services, work with the websites of the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation, the Social Insur-ance Fund, Public Services and Multifunctional Cen-ter.

scholarly journals Institutul Național de Cercetări Economice, Chișinău, Republica Moldova

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Buciuceanu-Vrabie ◽  
Tatiana Tabac
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Social Risks ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Individual

Articolul se focusează pe evaluarea situației persoanelor în vârstă din Republica Moldova în contextul pandemiei COVID-19. Prin diagnosticarea socială a deschiderii structurale, instituționale, comunitare și inter-generaționale la nevoile acestei categorii de populație, se evidențiază provocările pandemice cu care aceasta se confruntă. Metodologia cercetării are la bază rezultatele studiului calitativ, realizat în lunile august−septembrie 2020 și aprilie−mai 2021 cu persoanele vârstnice, reprezentanții administrației publice locale și asistenții sociali. Prin constatări argumentate empiric, în articol sunt actualizate principalele dificultăți parvenite în contextul pandemiei și profunzimea impactului social asupra persoanelor în vârstă la nivel comunitar. Pe lângă riscul direct asupra stării de sănătate fizică, excluderea și discriminarea persoanelor în vârstă s-a accentuat în timpul pandemiei COVID-19, s-a evidențiat riscul sporit de violență și neglijare, și cazurile de stigmatizare la nivel comunitar. Resursele individuale/ familiale ale persoanelor vârstnice, în special în cazul infectării cu COVID-19 și a tratamentului, au jucat un rol important în depășirea crizei. Consecințele COVID-19 se asociază cu agravarea stării de sănătate a persoanelor vârstnice și creșterea necesarului de în servicii medicale. Atitudinile „age-iste” au loc și în perioada după carantină, subminând drepturile persoanelor vârstnice la servicii de calitate. Astfel, se accentuează necesitatea monitorizării continue a situației și combaterii atitudinilor „age-iste” în perioada post pandemie. Cuvinte-cheie: COVID-19; populația în vârstă; studiul calitativ; riscuri sociale; accesul la serviciile sociale; izolare, violență. ●●●●● The paper focuses on assessing the situation of older persons in the Republic of Moldova, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The social diagnosis of the structural, institutional, community and intergenerational openness to the needs of this category of population highlights the pandemic challenges it faces. The methodology of the study is based on the results of the qualitative study conducted in August−September 2020 and April−May 2021 with the older people, local public administration and social workers. Through empirically reasoned findings, the paper updates the main difficulties encountered in the context of the pandemic and the depth of the social impact on the older people at community level. In addition to the direct risk to physical health, the exclusion and discrimination of the older people increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased risk of violence and neglect, and cases of stigma at community level. The individual/family resources of the older people, especially in the case of COVID-19 infection and treatment, have played an important role in overcoming the crisis. The consequences of COVID-19 are associated with a worsening of the health of the elderly and an increase in the need for medical services. “Ageist” attitudes also occurred in the post-quarantine period, undermining the rights of older people to quality services. Thus, the need for continuous monitoring of the situation and combating "ageist" attitudes in the post-pandemic period is emphasized. Keywords: COVID-19, older adults, qualitative study, social risks, access to social services, isolation, violence.

Determinants of food insecurity among elderly people: findings from the Canadian Community Health Survey

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Moses Mosonsieyiri Kansanga ◽  
Yujiro Sano ◽  
Isaac Bayor ◽  
Joseph Asumah Braimah ◽  
Abraham Marshall Nunbogu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Policy Issue ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Canadian Community Health Survey ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Community Health Survey

Abstract Food insecurity among elderly people is a major public health concern due to its association with several health conditions. Despite growing research and implementation of diverse income-based policy measures, food insecurity among elderly people remains a major policy issue in Canada. Additional research could inform food policy beyond strategies that target improving the financial resources of elderly people. Drawing data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (N = 24,930), we explored the correlates of food insecurity among older adults using negative log-log logistic regression techniques. Our findings show that certain categories of elderly people are more prone to food insecurity. These segments include seniors who are visible minorities (OR = 1.29, p < 0.01), live alone (OR = 1.13, p < 0.05), have a very weak sense of community belonging (OR = 1.40, p < 0.001), in poor physical health (OR = 1.20, p < 0.01), and those in lower age and income categories. These findings corroborate previous studies that demonstrate that food insecurity among elderly people is a complex phenomenon influenced by diverse socio-economic factors. In Canada, food security policies targeted at elderly people have largely prioritised poverty alleviation through income support programmes. While these programmes can improve the purchasing power of elderly people, they may not be sufficient in ensuring food security. There is a need to embrace and further investigate an integrated approach that pays attention to other contextual socio-economic dynamics.

scholarly journals Effects of Maternal food Insecurity on Birth Weight of Neonates: A Prospective Cohort

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 524-530
Author(s):  
Ayesha Saeed ◽  
Mobina Naqvi ◽  
Ahsan Javed
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Increased Risk

Pakistani population is seriously malnutritioned and is hunger redisposed. Based on the Global Hunger Index Pakistan is ranked at 107 of 118 countries .Food insecurity is among major causes of under-nutrition and has been associated with low birth weights. This study aimed to assess the effect of maternal foodinsecurity on birth weight of neonates in Lahore, Pakistan.Ina prospective cohort conducted at Shalamar Hospital Lahore; from April to August 2016, written informed consents were obtained from 103 eligible pregnant women. Data on demography was collected through a structured questionnaire and exposure wasassessed through 6-items Version of U.S. Household Food Security Survey and cohort was followed until delivery, and birth weight was recorded. Follow up could be completed for 50 women only and response rate was 49%. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and relative risk and multinomial logistic Regression were applied using SPSS version 22. Mean maternal age was 28.100+4.824 years, mean education was 12.400+2.138 years, mean BMI was 29.420+5.075 and mean household income was PKR 25641+16251.543. With these characteristics, the mean birth weight of2.814+0.551 kg was recorded. Four percent (n=2) had very low food security and 34% (n=17) women had low food security. Importantly, food unsecured women had a 5.439 times increased risk of delivering a low birth weight neonate (RR=5.439, CI=1.710-17.296, p=0.002). Regression analysis indicated a significant association (AOR 16.076, CI=2.381-108.564, p=0.004).Based onthese studies, it was concluded that food insecurity in pregnancy is associated with low birth weight in neonates. Antenatal screening of food insecurity and timely provision food supplements through social welfare can help reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality.

scholarly journals The Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Correlates of Food Insecurity in Poland

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Dudek ◽  
Joanna Myszkowska-Ryciak
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
Social Program ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Households With Children ◽  
The Impact

While food insecurity (FI) has been extensively studied in many countries, there have been few empirical contributions in Poland to date. The main objective of our research was to identify the socio-demographic factors affecting the risk of FI in Poland within 2014–2019. Moreover, we aimed to examine the effects of the family-oriented social program “Family 500+” by comparing the situation in various types of households with children a few years before and after the program was launched. The analysis was based on the set of eight-item FI indicators adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization using the Gallup World Poll nationally representative survey data. Based on our results the most vulnerable groups in the context of FI were identified. We confirmed the importance of education, gender, age, marital status, household composition, status of employment and income in preventing FI. The effectiveness of the support program in reducing FI was demonstrated as households with at least three children experienced significant improvement in the FI status during the studied years. These findings should be especially important in the context of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on FI. As FI can affect the quality and quantity of food choices it is associated with a poorer health status, which increases the risk of infection, including COVID-19, and worsens recovery prognosis. Planning an efficient response to the pandemic requires a comprehension of the increased risk of exposure experienced by people, especially those who are food insecure.

Perceptions of Community Carers about Elderly People: A Sentence Completion Approach

1985 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 889-890
Author(s):  
Chris Phillipson ◽  
Patricia Strang
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Older People ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Sentence Completion ◽  
Preventive Strategies ◽  
Health And Social Services

In the present study a sentence completion list was administered to a range of community carers in the health and social services. Analysis of information from 334 respondents indicated statistically significant differences regarding perceptions about older people. The responses of the different groups indicated attitudinal support for developing a range of preventive strategies in the field of social and health care. There was some evidence, however, that workers held stereotyped views about the lives of older people.

scholarly journals Sex Differences in the Association Between Food Insecurity and Obesity Among College Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 181-181
Author(s):  
Aseel El Zein ◽  
Karla Shelnutt ◽  
Sarah Colby ◽  
Geoffrey Greene ◽  
Wenjun Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
High Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to assess the association between food insecurity and obesity and to examine whether it varies by sex. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in spring 2017 among college students from eight U.S. institutions. Participants (n = 683) completed the USDA Adult Food Security Survey and had their weight and height measured by researchers. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the sex-specific associations between food insecurity and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), after adjusting for socioeconomic covariates. Results Overall, 25.4% of students identified as food insecure and 10.5% were obese. The prevalence of obesity increased as the level of food insecurity increased, from 5.2% for those with high food security, 13.4% for those with marginal food security, to 17.4% and 21.6% for students with low and very low food security. In logistic regression analysis, marginal, low and very low food security students had an odds ratio of 2.83 (95% CI: 1.43, 5.57), 3.86 (95% CI: 1.88, 7.91), and 5.05 (95% CI:, 2.44, 10.48) of obesity compared to students with high food security, exhibiting a dose-response relationship. Among females, having marginal (OR = 4.21, 95% CI: 1.70, 9.75), low (OR = 4.51, 95% CI: 1.40, 12.47), or very low food security (OR = 7.08, 95% CI: 2.60, 18.41) predicted higher odds of obesity compared to female students with high food security. Among males, those with low food security had higher odds of obesity (OR = 6.40, 95% CI: 1.78, 20.7). Conclusions The association between food insecurity and obesity in U.S. college students remained after adjustment for multiple socio-economic factors. Overall, food insecure females experienced an increase in the risk of obesity as food insecurity increased; however, only males with low food security had an increased risk of obesity. Programs directed toward obesity prevention need to address any level of food insecurity as a risk factor in females, and target males with low food security. Although beyond the scope of this study, it is possible that programs to reduce food insecurity may help prevent obesity in college students. Funding Sources This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2014–67,001-21,851.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity Is Associated With Cardiovascular and All‐Cause Mortality Among Adults in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yangbo Sun ◽  
Buyun Liu ◽  
Shuang Rong ◽  
Yang Du ◽  
Guifeng Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sampling Weights ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Mortality ◽  
Disease Mortality ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Us

Background Food insecurity is a global leading public health challenge that affects not only developing countries but also developed countries, including the United States. About 50 million Americans are food insecure. In this study we examined the associations of the adult food insecurity with all‐cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in a nationally representative sample of US adults. Methods and Results We included 27 188 US adults (age ≥40 years of age) who participated in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2014. Food insecurity status was assessed using the Food Security Survey Module developed by the US Department of Agriculture. Mortality from all causes and cardovascular disease was ascertained through data linkage to the National Death Index through December 31, 2015. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression with sampling weights to estimate hazard ratios ( HR s) and 95% CIs of all‐cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, according to food security status. During 205 389 person‐years of the period, 5039 deaths occurred, including 1084 cardiovascular disease deaths. After adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, and dietary and lifestyle factors, participants with very low food security had higher risk of all‐cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, with multivariable‐adjusted HR s of 1.32 (95% CI , 1.07–1.62), and 1.53 (95% CI, 1.04–2.26), respectively, compared with those with high food security. Conclusions Food insecurity is significantly associated with increased risk of excess death from cardiovascular disease and all causes in US adults.

scholarly journals Tree products, food security and livelihoods: a household study of Burkina Faso

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
NIGEL POOLE ◽  
CAMILLA AUDIA ◽  
BARTÉLÉMY KABORET ◽  
REBECCA KENT
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
Adansonia Digitata ◽  
Household Decision ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Tree Product

SUMMARYThis paper examines the contribution of products derived from baobab (Adansonia digitata), shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) and néré (Parkia biglobosa) to rural livelihoods in Burkina Faso. A survey was conducted in northern and southern regions to identify and understand the social and environmental factors influencing the utilization of tree products by rural households for home consumption and commercialization, and to explore the contribution of tree products to food security. Emphasis was placed on the roles and responsibilities of women for tree product utilization. Inter- and intra-household relationships governing tree foods were found to vary between regions and tree species, and with gender and household composition. Collection and utilization of tree products differed between north and south because of contrasting ecological contexts and evolving social mores. Household decision making processes were negotiated and consensual in both regions. The results suggest that domestication and dissemination of planting and regeneration technologies, and product processing and marketing initiatives, need a gendered and tree-specific approach in order to build on local norms and capacities. Measures for the conservation and management of tree resources are most important where ecological constraints are most severe but dependence is greatest for sustaining food security.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity and Anthropometry in Adolescents: A Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (F) ◽  
pp. 234-240
Author(s):  
Nikmah Utami Dewi ◽  
Nurulfuadi Nurulfuadi ◽  
Ummu Aiman ◽  
Diah Ayu Hartini ◽  
Fendi Pradana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Pubmed Central ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Height For Age ◽  
Weight For Age ◽  
Actual Relationship

BACKGROUND: The increased risk of malnutrition is affected by food insecurity. Studies in adolescents still show mixed results.  AIM: This article aimed to evaluate the association between food insecurity and anthropometry measurements in studies involving adolescents.  MATERIALS AND METHODS: The databases used to obtain the literature were PubMed, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, and PubMed Central. The keywords used were food security, food insecurity, hunger, malnutrition, obesity, adolescence, adolescents, teenagers, teens, and youth in studies published from 2010 to 2019. A total of 12 articles were used in this review.  RESULTS: The association between food insecurity and the incidence of malnutrition in adolescents in various regions is still diverse. Food insecurity had a negative correlation with BMI-for-age in three studies (33.3%), but one study (11.1%) showed the opposite result. Food insecurity was positively related to low height-for-age (stunting) in 50% of studies, while five other studies (55.6%) showed that food insecurity was not related to BMI-for-age or weight-for-age. Three studies (50%) showed that there was no association between food insecurity and height-for-age.  CONCLUSION: Longitudinal studies, such as Cohort studies, need to be conducted to ensure the actual relationship between food insecurity and nutritional status in various regions.

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