Food insecurity and nutritional status among older adults: a systematic review
Marlus H Q Pereira1,2, Maria L A S Pereira1,2, Glaucia C Campos3
1Center of Biological and Health, Science, Federal University of the Western of Bahia, Barreiras, Bahia, Brazil.
Context:
Food insecurity (FI), characterized by difficulty or inability to access adequate food, has become a public health problem.
Objective:
To analyze studies relating FI with nutritional status (NS) among older adults and the associated factors.
Data Search:
Articles published up to June 2020 were investigated in 5 databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, LILACS, and Web of Science. The search, selection, extraction, and quality evaluation were carried out by 2 reviewers.
Data Extraction:
The authors identified characteristics of the studies and the main data regarding the relationship of interest.
Results:
Twenty-two studies were included in the review and their characteristics are summarized and presented using narrative synthesis. In 10 studies (45.4%), a relationship was observed between FI and malnutrition; in another 6 (27.3%), a relationship was observed between FI and being overweight.
Conclusion:
A relationship was identified between FI, especially severe forms, and malnutrition, as well as between FI, especially mild forms, and people being overweight. Thus, FI among older adults relates to a 2-fold burden of nutritional outcomes, depending on the level.
Systematic Review Registration:
PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020185086.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion


