Food insecurity in later life: Uncovering and addressing a hidden struggle

Food insecurity, understood as limited or uncertain access to enough food in socially acceptable ways, is a growing public health concern in Canada. An estimated 12.7% of households in Canada experienced food insecurity in 2017–2018, with many experts stating that its true prevalence among older adults is likely underreported.¹

For older Canadians, food insecurity is more than just skipped meals. Over time, it can lead to malnutrition, frailty, and worse health outcomes. Because older adults can experience food insecurity differently than other age groups, understanding its causes, consequences and potential solutions is important for developing programs, community supports, and policies, as well as providing practical advice to enable every older adult to live with dignity and nourishment.

What the research tells us

An evidence synthesis on food security in Canadian and American older adults found four defining attributes of food insecurity, which included:¹

• inability to obtain or prepare enough food (e.g., cannot afford or lacking assistance)
• compromising food quality or preference (e.g., afford foods needed to manage health conditions)
• anxiety or uncertainty about one’s ability to obtain or prepare food, and
• socially unacceptable ways of obtaining food such as using food pantries, food banks, or asking others for money for food.

The findings above highlight that social, functional, and health-related considerations shape experiences of food insecurity among older adults in Canada. It is not surprising, that another evidence synthesis on how food insecurity in older adults is measured found that addressing food security in later life requires a coordinated approach using policies from various sectors and at different levels.² The review found that a comprehensive approach to food insecurity among older adults requires addressing the following:

• individual factors (e.g., age, gender, health status, household composition, and income),
• institutional factors (e.g., health insurance and healthcare service use), and
• community factors (e.g., climate, neighbourhood characteristics, and urban/rural settings).

What older adults can do

Participate in collective kitchens

• Joining or starting your own collective kitchen can be a great way to address food insecurity and connect with your community
• Try reaching out to your local municipality, community center, or senior organization to see whether one exists near you (if one doesn’t exist, consider starting your own with neighbors or friends)

Cook confidently by building your skills

• Participating in classes or sessions to learn skills like meal planning, budget shopping, and cooking healthy meals can help you pick up new techniques or tailor recipes to your lifestyle and needs, even if you already cook!

Reduce food waste boost your budget and combat food insecurity

• By planning meals, buying only what you need, and storing food properly, you can help reduce food waste and in turn save money
• Sharing or freezing leftovers and managing expiry and “best before” dates are other great ways to make the most of your food

References

1. Mills CM. Food insecurity in older adults in Canada and the United States: a concept analysis. Canadian journal of dietetic practice and research. 2021 Jul 21;82(4):200-8.
2. Vilar-Comptea M, Gaitán-Rossia P, Pérez-Escamillab R.  Food insecurity measurement among older adults: Implications for policy and food security governance  Global Food Security. 2017; 14: 87-95.

McMaster Optimal Aging Blog Posts are written by faculty, staff, PhD students, and external collaborators, and are assessed for accuracy by members of the Portal scientific leadership team.

DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).