Food insecurity and cognitive function in older adults: Brief report

Emily Frith; Paul D Loprinzi

doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2017.07.001

Food insecurity and cognitive function in older adults: Brief report

Clin Nutr. 2018 Oct;37(5):1765-1768. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.07.001. Epub 2017 Jul 6.

Authors

Emily Frith¹, Paul D Loprinzi²

Affiliations

¹ Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA; Exercise Psychology Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
² Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA; Exercise Psychology Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA; Jackson Heart Study Vanguard Center of Oxford, Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA. Electronic address: pdloprin@olemiss.edu.

PMID: 28711417
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.07.001

Abstract

Objective: We evaluated the specific association between food insecurity and cognitive function among a national sample of the broader U.S. older adult population.

Methods: Data from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used to identify 1851 adults, between 60 and 85 years, with complete data on selected study variables. The Food Security Survey Module (FSSM) was administered to assess food insecurity. We used the 10-item U.S. Food Security Survey Module. Based on responses to the FSSM, four mutually exclusive categories were determined: fully food secure (0), marginally food secure (1-2), food insecure without hunger (3-5) and food insecure with hunger (6-10). The DSST (Digit Symbol Substitution Test) was used to assess cognitive functioning.

Results: Compared to those who were fully food secure, those who were marginally food secure (β = -13.4; 95% CI: -17.6, -9.2; P < 0.001), food insecure without hunger (β = -10.9; 95% CI: -17.6, -4.1; P = 0.003) and food insecure with hunger (β = -22.2; 95% CI: -28.6, -15.8; P < 0.001) had significantly lower cognitive function. After adjustments, results were attenuated, but remained statistically significant. Older adults who were marginally food secure (β_adjusted = -7.7; 95% CI: -11.9, -3.5; P = 0.001), food insecure without hunger (β_adjusted = -7.0; 95% CI: -11.4, -2.6; P = 0.003) and food insecure with hunger (β_adjusted = -14.4; 95% CI: -23.9, -4.5; P = 0.005) had significantly lower cognitive function.

Conclusion: In this national sample of older adults, there was an inverse association between food insecurity and cognitive function.

Keywords: Chronic disease; Epidemiology; Health care; Mental health; Poverty; Quality of life.

MeSH terms

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Cognition / physiology*
Female
Food Supply / statistics & numerical data*
Humans
Hunger / physiology*
Male
Middle Aged
Nutrition Surveys
United States