Search Results (5)

Background: Food insecurity and social isolation among older adults are pressing public health concerns that significantly impact physical and mental health outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges while forcing innovative adaptations to traditional congregate meal programs. Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of Kūpuna U, an alternative flexible congregate meal program comprising three models (virtual, hybrid, and traditional), in addressing food insecurity, loneliness, and self-rated health among older adults in Hawaiʻi. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with non-equivalent groups analyzed secondary program evaluation data. Participants (N = 270, follow-up N = 116) self-selected into virtual (grab-and-go meals + online activities), hybrid (grab-and-go meals + virtual and in-person activities), or traditional (in-person congregate meals + in-person activities) models. Food insecurity (6-item scale), loneliness (UCLA 3-item scale), and self-rated health (5-point scale) were measured at the baseline and 6-month follow-up. Results: The Virtual group showed significant improvements in food insecurity (baseline: 1.73 to follow-up: 0.04, p < 0.001) and self-rated health (baseline: 2.92 to follow-up: 3.72, p = 0.005). The Hybrid group demonstrated a significant increase in loneliness (baseline: 4.25 to follow-up: 5.00, p = 0.024). The Traditional group showed no significant changes in any outcome measures. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant between-group differences for food insecurity (F = 9.047, p < 0.001) and self-rated health (F = 5.814, p = 0.004) change scores. Conclusions: The Virtual model demonstrated a superior effectiveness in improving food security and self-rated health outcomes. However, self-selection bias limits causal inferences. These findings suggest that flexible, technology-enhanced nutrition programs may effectively serve older adults with mobility or transportation barriers while maintaining program benefits. Full article

Background/Objectives: The nutritional habits of older adults are increasingly relevant to public health, particularly given the rising prevalence of obesity and its associated chronic diseases. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the Healthy Eating Index (IASE) and Body Mass Index (BMI) in older adults in Spain, focusing on food frequency, dietary preferences, and socioeconomic factors influencing nutritional security. Methods: The study is part of the Eating Matters project, assessing food (in)security in older adults across Andalusia and Catalonia between April 2022 and January 2024. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 190 participants (≥65 years), recruited in primary healthcare centers. The questionnaire included three blocks: food insecurity assessment (FIES scale), diet quality with the Healthy Eating Index for the Spanish Population (IASE), and sociodemographic factors. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and logistic regression models to identify associated factors with overweight and obesity. Results: The average BMI was 28.5 kg/m² (SD = 4.29), with 46.3% of participants classified as overweight and 32.1% as obese. A significant negative correlation (r = −0.79, p < 0.05) was found between healthy food consumption and BMI, while personal income showed a moderate positive correlation with adherence to a healthy diet (r = 0.42, p < 0.05). Logistic regression indicated that frequent consumption of processed meats and confectionery was a significant identify associated factors with overweight/obesity, with a model accuracy of 68% and sensitivity of 95%. Conclusions: Older adults with lower incomes and higher consumption of ultra-processed foods exhibited a higher risk of obesity. These findings highlight the need for public policies promoting food accessibility and targeted nutrition education for older adults, including guidance on balanced diets, adequate protein intake, and the prevention of sarcopenia, to encourage healthier dietary patterns in aging populations. Full article

Food insecurity (FI) prevails in Sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, in South Africa, although many people, including the elderly, are vulnerable to FI, little is known about the experiences of older persons (OPs) with FI and the interventions thereof. In South Africa, Meals on Wheels Community Service (MOWCS) provides readymade home meal deliveries for OPs through 209 branches across the country. Therefore, this study investigated MOWCS’ role in the promotion of food security among the OPs at the Brooklyn branch, Cape Town. The study was grounded within the food security framework and focused on the availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability of food at Brooklyn MOWCS. Using qualitative research methods, 10 semi-structured interviews and one focus group discussion (N = 5) were conducted with Brooklyn MOWCS beneficiaries, in addition to three key personnel interviews conducted with staff. Data were analysed using Open Code 4.03. The findings showed Brooklyn MOWCS as a stable source of affordable and nutritious meals to OPs. The portion size satisfied hunger; occasionally, one portion sufficed for two meals. Respondents admitted the meal ingredients represented various food groups and rated them as “healthy”. However, some financial challenges hindered the extension of MOWCS services to the wider community. For instance, they only had three paid employees and were overcrowded within church premises. Findings also showed race and gender disparity among respondents; 90% were White and 10% were of Mixed Ancestry, with no Black or Asian OPs represented, and only 10% were male. These outcomes are typical of the current ethnic profile of the overall Brooklyn MOWCS beneficiaries in SA. This calls, therefore, for such interventions to be extended to all South African demographic groups as an initiative to alleviate food and nutrition insecurity among all OPs. Full article

Falling birth rates and rising life expectancy are leading to global aging. The proportional increase in older people can be observed in almost all countries and regions worldwide. As a result, more people spend their later years in nursing homes. In homes where person-centered care is implemented, residents report greater satisfaction and quality of life. This approach is based on the wishes and needs of the residents. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review is to explore the wishes and needs of nursing home residents. A scoping review of the literature was conducted in which 12 databases were systematically searched for relevant articles according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Both quantitative and qualitative study designs were considered. A total of 51 articles met the inclusion criteria. Included articles were subjected to thematic analysis and synthesis to categorize findings into themes. The analysis identified 12 themes to which the wishes and needs were assigned: (1) Activities, leisure, and daily routine; (2) Autonomy, independence, choice, and control; (3) Death, dying, and end-of-life; (4) Economics; (5) Environment, structural conditions, meals, and food; (6) Health condition; (7) Medication, care, treatment, and hygiene; (8) Peer relationship, company, and social contact; (9) Privacy; (10) Psychological and emotional aspects, security, and safety; (11) Religion, spirituality; and (12) Sexuality. Nursing home residents are not a homogeneous group. Accordingly, a wide range of needs and wishes are reported in the literature, assigned to various topics. This underscores the need for tailored and person-centered approaches to ensure long-term well-being and quality of life in the nursing home care setting. Full article

In March 2020, a national UK lockdown was implemented in response to rapidly rising COVID-19 infections. Those experiencing the most severe public health restrictions were ‘shielding’ groups as well as those over 70 years of age. Older age adults, many of whom were active, independent, and socially connected were immediately instructed to stay at home, to limit all external social contact and consider contingency for maintaining personal food security and social contact. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of older adults during the first UK lockdown (March–June 2020), specifically how our sample reacted to public health messaging, staying food secure and drawing on available social capital within their community. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with eight participants. In addition, twenty-five participants completed a qualitative ‘open-ended’ survey. The data was collated and analysed, adopting a Thematic Analysis informed approach. Three themes were identified: (1) Too Much Information, (2) The Importance of Neighbours and Connections and (3) Not Wishing to be a Burden. These findings offer a rich insight into how early lockdown measures, never witnessed since World War 2, exposed existing pre-pandemic inequalities and concerns relating to loneliness, isolation and wellbeing. The findings are of relevance to researchers, older adult advocate groups and policy makers to inform post COVID-recovery within communities to ensure healthy ageing. Full article