The Silent Struggle: Food Insecurity Amongst Older Adults

Authored by: Castine Hardesty

Art by: Stefanie Chen

In an age when fresh produce is available year-round and purchasing food has never been made more convenient, it may be easy to believe that food insecurity is a shrinking problem in America. However, the opposite is true for many older Americans. Since the early 2000s, the rate of food insecurity in households with at least one adult over age 60 has more than doubled, and nearly one quarter of all families with older adults now experience unreliable access to food [1]. In 2022 alone, around 7 million elders experienced food insecurity, leading to unhealthy meal choices, elevated rates of diabetes, and other concerning health issues [2]. 

For older Americans, a lack of access to food can exacerbate already-present medical conditions, making the consequences of food insecurity particularly threatening. Without intervention, food insecurity can become a lifelong cycle that is impossible to escape; poor nutrition often leads to chronic illnesses that require costly treatments, creating extreme emotional and physical pressure on seniors who already have greater medical needs than other age groups. For older adults who are no longer able to work, higher medical bills can put significant financial strain on their limited retirement income, which may have been set aside for household necessities [2]. Therefore, to ensure that all people regardless of age have access to healthy meals, it is imperative that the crisis of food insecurity and subsequent malnutrition in elders is systematically addressed as a preventative measure against chronic disease [3].

The United States Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as a social and economic household condition characterized by uncertain access to adequate food, both in quality and quantity. An important distinction is made between food insecurity and hunger; while hunger is a common consequence of food insecurity, it is not a criterion for determining a household as food insecure [4]. Not all older adults face the same risk for falling into the food-insecure category, however. In a 2025 publication of data assessing food insecurity amongst seniors by Feeding America, eight of the ten states with the highest rates of senior food insecurity were located in the American South. Older adults raising a grandchild experienced higher levels of food insecurity, along with Latino or black seniors and those with disabilities [5]. Since the beginning of the 21st century, there has been a rapid spike in the frequency of food insecurity. Rising inflation plays a significant role in this trend. Food prices themselves are not the only commodities that affect food security; the increased prices on all essentials, including housing and healthcare, play a role in making healthy food more inaccessible to older adults [5]. Additionally, government-subsidized programs generally miss the mark when aiming to provide the resources necessary for healthy meals. In 2023, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) failed to meet the average cost of a meal in almost all counties across the nation [5]. For seniors who rely solely on Social Security payments, any reduction of benefits, including those implemented to account for increasing life expectancy and a growing elderly population, will have severe impacts on both their quantity and quality of food [6].

To fully understand the physiological impacts of food insecurity on older adults, it is important to grasp the nutritional differences between food-secure and food-insecure elders. In a study fielded by Cornell University, it was found that food-insecure elders were more than twice as likely to have poor overall health [3]. Compared to food-secure seniors, those who were food insecure had significant nutrient deficiencies of vitamins E, C, B2, B12, and D, as well as zinc, phosphorus, calcium, and folate [7]. These nutrients play critical roles in overall physiological well-being, so the fact that these deficiencies are so common amongst food-insecure elders is troubling, especially when paired with the rising costs of healthcare and food. One study found that the health and mobility of food-insecure elders is comparable to that of a food-secure individual fourteen years their senior [8]. These are sobering statistics, and they will continue to exist unless systematic frameworks are put in place to uplift and care for the elderly in our communities. One strategy to reduce food insecurity is the expansion of nutritional assistance programs such as SNAP or Meals on Wheels with government support [9, 10]. The compounding of food insecurity and social isolation can have dangerous health consequences, and one way in which this could be counteracted is screening for both food insecurity and social isolation in hospitals and doctor’s offices. Programs could be integrated into healthcare with the goal of connecting elders to resources. Additionally, the implementation of community gardens, kitchens, and commensal meal programs at senior centers would both alleviate food insecurity and reduce social isolation [9].

Besides putting increased strain on healthcare workers and facilities and costing the government money through federally funded health insurance, the prevalence of food insecurity amongst older adults raises significant ethical concerns. Ensuring that older members of society have reliable access to safe, nutritious food is essential for maintaining dignity, health, and quality of life. As the U.S. population continues to age, addressing food insecurity among seniors must remain a priority for policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities alike.

References

1. Harris, E. (2024). Study: Nearly 1 in 4 Families With Older Adults Has Food Insecurity. JAMA, 331(15), 1265. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2024.2089

2. ‌National Council on Aging. (2024, June). Food Insecurity and Older Adults: Get the Facts. Ncoa.org. https://www.ncoa.org/article/what-is-food-insecurity-get-the-facts/

3. ‌Lee, J. S., & Frongillo, E. A. (2001). Nutritional and Health Consequences Are Associated with Food Insecurity among U.S. Elderly Persons. The Journal of Nutrition, 131(5), 1503–1509. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/131.5.1503

4. ‌U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2025, January 10). USDA ERS - Definitions of Food Security. Ers.usda.gov. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/definitions-of-food-security

5. ‌Map the Meal Gap 2025: A Report on Local Food Insecurity and Food Costs in the United States in 2023. (2025). https://www.feedingamerica.org/sites/default/files/2025-05/Map%20the%20Meal%20Gap%202025%20Report.pdf

6. ‌LaPonsie, M., Stewart, T., & Segal, B. (2025). How a 24% Social Security Cut Could Impact Your Retirement in 2032. US News & World Report. https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/articles/how-a-24-social-security-cut-could-impact-your-retirement-in-2032

7. ‌Appanah, G., Zarei, M., Qorbani, M., Djalalinia, S., Sulaiman, N., Subashini, T., & Naderali, E. (2021). Food Insecurity and Dietary Intake Among Elderly Population: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 12(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_61_19

8. ‌Gundersen, C., & Ziliak, J. P. (2015). Food Insecurity and Health Outcomes. Health Affairs, 34(11). https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2015.0645

9. Sen, K., Kruse, C. S., Mileski, M., & Zo Ramamonjiarivelo. (2025). Interventions to reduce social isolation and food insecurity in older adults: a systematic review. Frontiers in Nutrition, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1607057

10. Meals on Wheels. (2019). Meals on wheels America. Mealsonwheelsamerica.org. https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/