Food Insecurity and Anxiety Symptoms Among Older Adults in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

IF 2.4 3区医学 Q3 GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY

Clinical Gerontologist Pub Date : 2025-08-28 DOI:10.1080/07317115.2025.2552739

Y Selvamani, Joelle H Fong, Gayatri Khanal

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives: The prevalence of anxiety is widely observed among older adults on a global scale. In this study, we investigate the relationship between food insecurity and anxiety symptoms in older adults living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods: Utilizing data from the WHO's Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE), a cross-sectional analysis was undertaken across six diverse nations - India, China, Ghana, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa. Multivariate logistic regression models were applied, and subgroup analyses and interaction analyses were performed.

Results: Results suggest a significant positive association between food insecurity and anxiety symptoms. The association was notably stronger in Ghana (aOR = 6.26) and South Africa (aOR = 5.64). The association was significant among men in Ghana, Mexico, and South Africa and among women in India, Ghana, Russia, and South Africa.

Conclusions: Measures to alleviate household food insecurity play a crucial role in enhancing the mental health of the growing older population in LMICs.

Clinical implications: Effective targeted interventions aimed at alleviating food poverty will play a crucial role in mitigating anxiety symptoms. Routine screening for food insecurity and mental health assessment is necessary, particularly when working with older population.

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低收入和中等收入国家老年人的粮食不安全和焦虑症状。

目的：焦虑的患病率在全球范围内广泛观察到老年人。在这项研究中，我们调查了生活在低收入和中等收入国家（LMICs）的老年人食物不安全与焦虑症状之间的关系。方法：利用世界卫生组织全球老龄化和成人健康研究（SAGE）的数据，对印度、中国、加纳、墨西哥、俄罗斯和南非六个不同国家进行了横断面分析。采用多变量logistic回归模型，进行亚组分析和交互作用分析。结果：结果表明，食物不安全与焦虑症状之间存在显著的正相关。这种关联在加纳（aOR = 6.26）和南非（aOR = 5.64）尤为明显。这种关联在加纳、墨西哥和南非的男性和印度、加纳、俄罗斯和南非的女性中都很显著。结论：缓解家庭粮食不安全的措施在提高中低收入国家日益增长的老年人口的心理健康方面发挥着至关重要的作用。临床意义：旨在减轻粮食贫困的有效有针对性的干预措施将在减轻焦虑症状方面发挥关键作用。对于粮食不安全的常规筛查和心理健康评估是必要的，特别是在与老年人一起工作时。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical Gerontologist GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY-PSYCHIATRY

CiteScore

6.20

自引率

25.00%

发文量

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： Clinical Gerontologist presents original research, reviews, and clinical comments relevant to the needs of behavioral health professionals and all practitioners who work with older adults. Published in cooperation with Psychologists in Long Term Care, the journal is designed for psychologists, physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors (family, pastoral, and vocational), and other health professionals who address behavioral health concerns found in later life, including: -adjustments to changing roles- issues related to diversity and aging- family caregiving- spirituality- cognitive and psychosocial assessment- depression, anxiety, and PTSD- Alzheimer’s disease and other neurocognitive disorders- long term care- behavioral medicine in aging- rehabilitation and education for older adults. Each issue provides insightful articles on current topics. Submissions are peer reviewed by content experts and selected for both scholarship and relevance to the practitioner to ensure that the articles are among the best in the field. Authors report original research and conceptual reviews. A unique column in Clinical Gerontologist is “Clinical Comments." This section features brief observations and specific suggestions from practitioners which avoid elaborate research designs or long reference lists. This section is a unique opportunity for you to learn about the valuable clinical work of your peers in a short, concise format.