Cross-sectional association of food insecurity with loneliness in older adults: The role of sex, age, and psychosomatic factors
Issued Date
2024-09-01
Resource Type
ISSN
12797707
eISSN
17604788
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85200222064
Journal Title
Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging
Volume
28
Issue
9
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging Vol.28 No.9 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Gyasi R.M., Aikins E., Hajek A., Opoku-Ware J., Osei B.A., Kwabena-Adade J., Jacob L., Rahmati M., Dakurah G., Peltzer K. Cross-sectional association of food insecurity with loneliness in older adults: The role of sex, age, and psychosomatic factors. Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging Vol.28 No.9 (2024). doi:10.1016/j.jnha.2024.100328 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/100399
Title
Cross-sectional association of food insecurity with loneliness in older adults: The role of sex, age, and psychosomatic factors
Author's Affiliation
Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu
College of Medical and Health Science
University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana
Centre de Recherche Epidémiologiques et Bio Statistiques de Sorbonne Paris Cité (CRESS)
Aix Marseille Université
Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology
African Population and Health Research Center
Lorestan University
Hôpital Fernand-Widal
University of the Free State
Mahidol University
Southern Cross University
Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
College of Medical and Health Science
University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana
Centre de Recherche Epidémiologiques et Bio Statistiques de Sorbonne Paris Cité (CRESS)
Aix Marseille Université
Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology
African Population and Health Research Center
Lorestan University
Hôpital Fernand-Widal
University of the Free State
Mahidol University
Southern Cross University
Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
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.