INCREASED COGNITIVE DECLINE IN OLDER ADULTS DUE TO FOOD INSECURITY; RESEARCH

Malnutrition, depression, and physical limitations that limit daily living are more prevalent in older adults who are food insecure. The largest federally funded nutrition assistance programme in the United States is called SNAP, and studies have shown that SNAP has helped to reduce hunger and food insecurity in the general population.

A team of researchers led by Muzi Na, assistant professor of nutritional sciences at Penn State, examined the connection between SNAP, food insecurity, and cognitive decline. They discovered that having enough food and taking advantage of SNAP may help older adults avoid cognitive decline that happens too quickly.

Researchers used information from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, 2012-20 to analyse a representative sample of 4,578 older adults in the United States for a recent article that was published in The Journal of Nutrition. Participants discussed their experiences with food insecurity and were categorised as having enough food or not enough.

SNAP participants, SNAP-eligible nonparticipants, and SNAP-ineligible nonparticipants were the three categories for SNAP status. Adults who were food insecure showed signs of cognitive decline more quickly than their peers who were food secure.

Using food insufficiency status or SNAP status, the researchers were able to distinguish between various cognitive decline trajectories. Both SNAP participants and SNAP-ineligible nonparticipants experienced slower rates of cognitive deterioration than SNAP-eligible nonparticipants did.

Comparing the two groups, the SNAP-eligible nonparticipant group's greater cognitive decline rate was equivalent to being 4.5 years older while the group with food insecurity had a greater rate that was equivalent to being 3.8 years older.

Four years of brain ageing, on average, can be very significant for an ageing population, according to Na. These findings clearly demonstrate the value of SNAP in preserving people's cognitive health as they age and the significance of food security for older adults. As people get older, we need to make sure they have access to and are encouraged to use the SNAP programme.