Perceptions of the Right to Food Among Adults Aged 60 Years and Older

Ecol Food Nutr. 2023 Jul 4;62(3-4):165-180. doi: 10.1080/03670244.2023.2228702. Epub 2023 Jun 29.

Abstract

This study explores perceptions of the right to food and issues around food assistance and access among older adults. We conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with adults aged 60+ in Iowa, half of whom were food insecure. Most respondents expressed the right to food concerns freedom of choice rather than physical and financial access. The respondents said poor food access was due to improper choices or not accessing food assistance. While respondents believed food insecurity was morally wrong, they also believed current food assistance services are sufficient. These results have important implications for understanding how older adults think about food access.

Keywords: Food Insecurity; Human rights; Older adults; Qualitative research.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Food Assistance*
  • Food Supply
  • Food*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged