Food Insecurity in Older Adults in Canada and the United States: A Concept Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Christine Marie Mills
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Concept Analysis ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Normative Practices ◽  
Policies And Programs ◽  
Negative Health Outcomes

A concept analysis using the method of Walker and Avant was undertaken to clarify the concept of food insecurity in older adults in Canada and the United States. A literature review was undertaken to conduct a concept analysis of food insecurity in older people. Food insecurity is associated with multiple negative health outcomes and may be experienced differently by older adults as compared to younger adults. It is therefore important to understand the concept of food insecurity as is relates to older adults. Four defining attributes of food insecurity in older adults in Canada and the United States were identified: (i) inability to acquire or prepare enough food, (ii) compromising on food quality or preference, (iii) uncertainty or anxiety around the ability to acquire or prepare food, and (iv) socially unacceptable or non-normative practices. These attributes may allow for improved policies and programs aimed at addressing food insecurity in older adults by better meeting the needs of older individuals. Additional research into food insecurity as experienced by Canadian and American older adults could help to further clarify the concept.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity in the United States: Identification, Treatment, and Implications

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 772-773
Author(s):  
Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili ◽  
Connie Bales ◽  
Julie Locher
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Geriatric Syndrome ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Food insecurity is an under-recognized geriatric syndrome that has extensive implications in the overall health and well-being of older adults. Understanding the impact of food insecurity in older adults is a first step in identifying at-risk populations and provides a framework for potential interventions in both hospital and community-based settings. This symposium will provide an overview of current prevalence rates of food insecurity using large population-based datasets. We will present a summary indicator that expands measurement to include the functional and social support limitations (e.g., community disability, social isolation, frailty, and being homebound), which disproportionately impact older adults, and in turn their rate and experience of food insecurity and inadequate food access. We will illustrate using an example of at-risk seniors the association between sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and function, with rates of food security in the United States. The translational aspect of the symposium will then focus on identification of psychosocial and environmental risk factors including food insecurity in older veterans preparing for surgery within the Veterans Affairs Perioperative Optimization of Senior Health clinic. Gaining insights into the importance of food insecurity will lay the foundation for an intervention for food insecurity in the deep south. Our discussant will provide an overview of the implications of these results from a public health standpoint. By highlighting the importance of food insecurity, such data can potentially become a framework to allow policy makers to expand nutritional programs as a line of defense against hunger in this high-risk population.

The Epidemiology of Herpes Zoster in the United States During the Era of Varicella and Herpes Zoster Vaccines: Changing Patterns Among Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Harpaz ◽  
Jessica W Leung
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Herpes Zoster ◽  
The United States ◽  
Administrative Databases ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Incidence Trends ◽  
Changing Patterns ◽  
Herpes Zoster Incidence

Abstract Historic herpes zoster incidence trends in US adults have been hard to interpret. Using administrative databases, we extended previous descriptions of these trends through 2016. We observed an age-specific transition, with ongoing increases among younger adults but deceleration in older adults. The patterns are not readily explained.

scholarly journals Negative health outcomes associated with food insecurity status in the United States of America: A systematic review of peer-reviewed studies

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Jose Arenas ◽  
Sara Zhou ◽  
Arthur Thomas ◽  
Jici Wang ◽  
Gilberto Vila Arroyo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Negative Health Outcomes

Introduction: Social determinants of health, such as food security, are an important target for health providers, particularly in the care of patients from underserved populations, including the uninsured and socially marginalized. Preliminary research has shown that food insecurity status (FIS) is associated with negative health outcomes.Objective: We aim to present a concise, yet comprehensive resource that lists the health outcomes associated with FIS. This guide is meant to provide innovative health providers with the tools needed to justify the importance of using FIS screening and treatment as a preventive medicine intervention.Methods: We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed manuscripts that studied FIS in the United States of America (USA) and at least one health outcome. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus and had multiple reviewers examine each abstract and manuscript. We only retained peer-reviewed studies that contained USA data, directly measured FIS, and directly compared FIS to a health outcome.Results: The initial search yielded 1,817 manuscripts. After screening abstracts for duplicates and inclusion criteria, a total of 117 manuscripts were retained and fully examined. Several manuscripts showed significant association between FIS and neurologic, cardiac, endocrine, and pulmonary health outcomes. Studies in the USA population show robust associations between FIS and poor mental health (including depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, impaired cognitive functioning, and epilepsy), metabolic syndrome, hyperlipidemia, greater risk for bone fracture in children, higher risk of end-stage renal disease in patients with chronic kidney disease, self-reported poor health, and higher mortality in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus. Though other literature reviews show positive associations between FIS and health outcomes such as diabetes, body mass index, and hypertension, our systematic review showed mixed results.Conclusions: FIS leaves underserved populations at risk for negative health outcomes. More research should be done to examine the effects of FIS alleviation as a preventative medicine intervention.

Food (In)Security

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryah Stella Fram
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
The United States ◽  
Community Context ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Gender Culture ◽  
United States Food ◽  
States Food ◽  
Policies And Programs

This entry provides an overview of current knowledge and thinking about the nature, causes, and consequences of food insecurity as well as information about the major policies and programs aimed at alleviating food insecurity in the United States. Food insecurity is considered at the nexus of person and environment, with discussion focusing on the biological, psychological, social, and economic factors that are interwoven with people’s access to and utilization of food. The diversity of experiences of food insecurity is addressed, with attention to issues of age, gender, culture, and community context. Finally, implications for social work professionals are suggested.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Worries and Behavior Changes in Older and Younger Men and Women

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 939-940
Author(s):  
Sarah Barber ◽  
Hyunji Kim
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Older Men ◽  
The United States ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Behavior Changes ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
And Behavior

Abstract The case fatality rate of COVID-19 is higher among older than younger adults, and is also higher among men than women. However, worry, which is a key motivator of behavioral health changes, occurs less frequently for older than younger adults, and less frequently for men than women. Building on this, we tested whether older adults – and particularly older men -- would report the least amount of COVID-19 worry and also fewer COVID-19 behavior changes. To do so, from March 23-31, 2020, we administered an online questionnaire assessing COVID-19 perceptions, worries, and behavior changes. Participants were a convenience sample of United States residents, who were community-dwelling younger adults (18-35) or older adults (65 to 81). Analyses included 146 younger adults (68 men, 78 women) and 156 older adults (82 men, 74 women). Participants was predominately White, living in suburban/urban areas, and had completed some college. Our results showed that during the early phase of the outbreak in the United States, older adults perceived the risks of COVID-19 to be higher than did younger adults (e.g., thought COVID-19 was different than the flu). Despite this, older men were comparatively less worried about COVID-19 than their younger counterparts. Compared to the other participants, older men had also implemented the fewest behavior changes, such as wearing a mask. These tesults suggest that interventions are needed to increase COVID-19 behavior changes in older men. These results also highlight the importance of understanding emotional-responses to COVID-19, as these are predictive of their behavioral responses.

Future of Cancer Incidence in the United States: Burdens Upon an Aging, Changing Nation

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (17) ◽  
pp. 2758-2765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin D. Smith ◽  
Grace L. Smith ◽  
Arti Hurria ◽  
Gabriel N. Hortobagyi ◽  
Thomas A. Buchholz
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cancer Incidence ◽  
The United States ◽  
Census Bureau ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Population Projections ◽  
Demographic Changes ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
The Impact

Purpose By 2030, the United States' population will increase to approximately 365 million, including 72 million older adults (age ≥ 65 years) and 157 million minority individuals. Although cancer incidence varies by age and race, the impact of demographic changes on cancer incidence has not been fully characterized. We sought to estimate the number of cancer patients diagnosed in the United States through 2030 by age and race. Methods Current demographic-specific cancer incidence rates were calculated using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database. Population projections from the Census Bureau were used to project future cancer incidence through 2030. Results From 2010 to 2030, the total projected cancer incidence will increase by approximately 45%, from 1.6 million in 2010 to 2.3 million in 2030. This increase is driven by cancer diagnosed in older adults and minorities. A 67% increase in cancer incidence is anticipated for older adults, compared with an 11% increase for younger adults. A 99% increase is anticipated for minorities, compared with a 31% increase for whites. From 2010 to 2030, the percentage of all cancers diagnosed in older adults will increase from 61% to 70%, and the percentage of all cancers diagnosed in minorities will increase from 21% to 28%. Conclusion Demographic changes in the United States will result in a marked increase in the number of cancer diagnoses over the next 20 years. Continued efforts are needed to improve cancer care for older adults and minorities.

Perceptions of inter- and intra-generational communication in the United States of America and the People's Republic of China: Implications for Self-Esteem and Life Satisfaction

1999 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly A. Noels ◽  
Howard Giles ◽  
Deborah Cai ◽  
Lisa Turay
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
The United States ◽  
People’S Republic Of China ◽  
People's Republic Of China ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Chinese Sample ◽  
Republic Of China

ABSTRACTThe present investigation examined older people's views on communication with younger and older adults to determine if older people's perceptions parallel research findings that suggest that young adults view intra-generational communication more positively than inter-generational communication. Additionally, drawing upon the Communication Predicament of Aging model (Ryan, Giles, Bartolucci, & Henwood, 1986), it considers how these perceptions relate to psychological health. In a first study, older and younger adults from the United States of America responded to a questionnaire survey about their experiences of talking to older and younger adults. The results of analyses of variance suggested that younger adults have less positive perceptions of inter-generational communication than older adults. Regression analyses examined the link between communication climate and psychological health indices, and suggested that psychological health is related to inter-generational and intra-generational communication variables for older participants. In a second study, variations in older adults' intra- and intergroup perceptions were compared across the United States and the People's Republic of China. Unlike their American peers, intergenerational communication was not a significant correlate of adjustment in the Chinese sample, although intragenerational variables were again implicated.

scholarly journals Rich and Balanced Experiences of Daily Emotions Are Associated With Activity Diversity Across Adulthood

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 18-19
Author(s):  
Soomi Lee ◽  
Emily Urban-Wojcik ◽  
Susan Charles ◽  
David Almeida
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The United States ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Active Lifestyles ◽  
Sample Age

Abstract We examined whether the diversity of daily activities (“activity diversity”) is associated with the diversity of daily emotions (“emodiversity”) and if the association differs by age. Two samples of adults from the Midlife in the United States Study provided activity and emotion data for eight days. Greater activity diversity was associated with greater positive and negative emodiversity in each sample. Age moderated the association between activity diversity and positive emodiversity in an older sample, such that association was stronger for younger adults than for older adults. Results from data combining the two samples revealed that the associations of activity diversity with positive or negative emodiversity were significant when age < 70, 71 years, respectively. Broad and even participation of daily activities may provide more opportunities to experience rich and balanced emotions in adulthood. The weaker associations in older age may suggest the need to promote active lifestyles in later life.

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