Cross-sectional association of food insecurity with loneliness in older adults: The role of sex, age, and psychosomatic factors - 03/08/24
, Emelia Aikins c, André Hajek d, Jones Opoku-Ware e, Benjamin Appiah Osei f, Joana Kwabena-Adade g, Louis Jacob h, i, j, Masoud Rahmati k, l, m, George Dakurah c, Karl Peltzer n, o, p
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Abstract |
Objective |
Food insecurity (FI) is a critical social determinant of poor psychosocial health. While data on the specific roles of sex and age in the FI-loneliness link among older adults are limited, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. This study examines the age-sex-specific associations of FI with loneliness among older adults in Ghana and quantifies the extent to which psychosomatic factors mediate the association.
Methods |
We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Aging, Health, Psychological, and Health-seeking Behavior Study in Ghana. The past 30-day FI was assessed using items on hunger and breakfast skipping frequency due to a lack of resources. We assessed loneliness severity with the University of California, Los Angeles 3-item Loneliness Scale. Multivariable OLS regressions and bootstrapping mediation analysis using the Hayes PROCESS macro plug-in were used to evaluate the associations.
Results |
We included 1,201 individuals aged ≥50 years (mean = 62.9 [SD = 11.9]; women = 63.3%). The prevalence of loneliness was 17.7%. The prevalence of moderate and severe FI was 44.0% and 8.5%, respectively. In the adjusted model, greater FI was significantly associated with loneliness severity (B = .22, SE = .029, p < .001). We found significant interactive effects of FI × age (B = −.17, SE = .023, p < .01) and FI × sex (B = −.28, SE = .036, p < .001) on loneliness. Thus, the FI-loneliness link was respectively more marked among women (B = .25, SE = .035, p < .001) and ≥65 age groups (B = .34, SE = .041, p < .001) than men (B = .16, SE = .051, p < .01) and those aged 50−64 (B = .22; SE = .040, p < .001). Finally, comorbid depression/anxiety (41.07%), hopelessness (48.6%), worthlessness (42.1%), functional limitations (8.2%), and pain severity (6.4%) mediated the FI-loneliness association.
Conclusions |
Age- and sex-specific associations between FI and loneliness exist among older Ghanaians. Addressing FI in concert with psychosomatic problems in older adults may contribute meaningfully to reducing loneliness in later life.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Food insecurity, Hunger, Perceived isolation, Social determinant of health, Older adults
Plan
Vol 28 - N° 9
Article 100328- septembre 2024 Retour au numéro
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