Food Insecurity among Seniors James P. Ziliak, Ph.D. Director, Center for Poverty Research Gatton Endowed Chair in Microeconomics University of Kentucky October 30, 2019 Presentation to the KY Senior Hunger Summit
Acknowledgement • The research reported herein was conducted jointly with Dr. Craig Gundersen at the University of Illinois • We are grateful to Enid Borden and Peggy Ingraham of the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger for sparking this research agenda, and for their many years of financial support. • We have also benefitted from the support of Feeding America, AARP Foundation, Merck Foundation, and Meals On Wheels Research Foundation
The Measurement of Food Insecurity in the United States
Current Population Survey • December Supplements from 2001 to 2017 • Supplements used to establish the official estimates of food insecurity in the United States • Nationally representative (with weights) sample of 50,000 households • Full set of questions from Household Food Security Module • Define a senior as age 60 and older
Definitions of Categories of Food Insecurity • A household is placed into food security categories based on responses to 18 questions on the Household Food Security Module • Examples of questions • “I worried whether our food would run out before we got money to buy more” • “Did you or the other adults in your household ever cut the size of your meals or skip meals because there wasn’t enough money for food” • “Were you ever hungry but did not eat because you couldn’t afford enough food” • “In the last 12 months did you or other adults in your household ever not eat for a whole day because there wasn’t enough money for food?”
Definitions of Food Insecurity Categories • Marginally food insecure • 1 or more affirmative responses • Food insecure • 3 or more affirmative responses • Very Low Food Secure • 8 or more affirmative responses (households with children) • 6 or more affirmative responses (households without children)
Extent of Senior Hunger
Figure 1. Trends in Food Insecurity among Senior Americans 10 8 8 6 Number in Millions 6 Percent 4 4 2 2 0 0 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 Year Percent FI Percent VLFS Number FI Number VLFS
Correlates of Senior Hunger
Food Insecurity Risk Declines with Income
Food Insecurity and Very Low Food Security of Seniors by Poverty Status A. Food Insecurity B. Very Low Food Security 30 30 25 25 20 20 Percent Percent 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 Year Year Income < FPL Income < FPL 100%FPL < Income < 200%FPL 100%FPL < Income < 200%FPL Income >= 200% FPL Income >= 200% FPL
Food Insecurity Risk Declines with Age
Food Insecurity and Very Low Food Security of Seniors by Age A. Food Insecurity B. Very Low Food Security 12 12 9 9 Percent Percent 6 6 3 3 0 0 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 Year Year 60 � 69 years old 60 � 69 years old 70 � 79 years old 70 � 79 years old 80+ years old 80+ years old
Food Insecurity Risk Rises Among Minorities
Food Insecurity and Very Low Food Security of Seniors by Race A. Food Insecurity B. Very Low Food Security 16 16 12 12 Percent Percent 8 8 4 4 0 0 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 Year Year White Nonwhite White Nonwhite
Additional Risk Factors • Controlling for age, income, and race we also find that risk of food insecurity increases among those • Without a high school degree • Who are d ivorced or separated • Who have a grandchild living in the household • Who are disabled
Bringing it Home
Food Insecurity in Kentucky among Seniors • In a typical year food insecurity among seniors in Kentucky exceeds the national average • Very low food security in Kentucky is comparable to national average in recent years
Food Insecurity among Seniors in Kentucky 12 10 8 Percent 6 4 2 0 2001 2005 2009 2013 2017 Year Food Insecurity Very Low Food Insecurity 3 � year moving averages; 2 � year averages in first and last year
Uncertain Headwinds: Kentucky has highest food insecurity rate among 50-59 year olds
Food Insecurity among 50 � 59 year olds in Kentucky 20 16 12 Percent 8 4 0 2001 2005 2009 2013 2017 Year Food Insecurity Very Low Food Insecurity 3 � year moving averages; 2 � year averages in first and last year
Health Consequences of Food Insecurity
Regression-Adjusted Estimates of the Effect of Food Insecurity on Health Outcomes of Seniors 60+ (Percent Change Relative to Average of Food Secure Seniors) 60 53 51.8 40 36.9 21.8 21.8 14.5 5.9 5.3 4.9 1.7 Excellent Excellent or Very Good Excellent, Very Good, or Good ADL Limitations High Blood Pressure Coronary Heart Disease Heart Attack Cancer Chest Pain Gum Disease Asthma Diabetic Depression High Cholesterol Congestive Heart Failure Gum Health Psoriasis -10 -8 -1.1 Percentages in red are statistically significant at the 1% level; in green at the 5% level; and in yellow at the 10% level -21.8 -11.5
What Can be Done? • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) • Encourage participation • Over 60 • Between 40 and 60 • Address barriers for grandparents raising grandchildren • Entering program • Benefit levels • Reevaluate minimum benefit levels • Reach out to the socially isolated • Help those with mobility issues • Recognize importance of informal food assistance programs • For those receiving SNAP • For those ineligible for SNAP
Thank you! jziliak@uky.edu www.ukcpr.org
References • Gundersen, C. and J. Ziliak. 2014. Food Insecurity and Health among Senior Americans . • Ziliak, J. and C. Gundersen. 2019. The State of Senior Hunger in America 2017: An Annual Report . • Ziliak, J., C. Gundersen, and M. Haist. 2008. The Causes, Consequences, and Future of Senior Hunger in America.
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