Characteristics of Food Insecure Older Adults by Gender in the League of Arab States (P04-082-19)

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Background: Populations in the League of Arab States (LAS) are rapidly growing, along with increase in life expectancy and lower mortality rate, leading to a higher proportion of older adults. It is expected that the percentage of adults aged 60 and older is estimated to increase from 5.3% in 2005 to 18.1% in 2050. There are no studies that have focused on food insecurity (FI) in older adults in this region and gender differences. Women in the LAS tend to have lower educational attainment than men and are under- or un-employed, which might predispose them to higher risk for FI. Methods Data on 9156 adults, 50 years and over [5193 men and 3963 women], from the 2014, 2015, and 2016 Gallup World Poll [GWP] were analyzed. Food security status of participants was obtained using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). Using country-specific thresholds, participants were classified into food secure/moderately FI versus severely FI (SFI) categories. Prevalence of SFI and characteristics of SFI individuals were estimated from pooled data of 19 countries, by gender. Results SFI was more prevalent among women than men (17.8% and 15.1%, respectively p-value 0.0045). Significantly more SFI women tended to be unmarried, unemployed, and with lower educational attainment than SFI men. Logistic regression analysis showed that SFI was associated with lower educational attainment in women (OR 5.5, 95% CI 2.7–11.3) more than in men (OR 1.8%, CI 1.1 - 2.7). Being unemployed was significantly associated with a higher risk of being FI in men (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3–2.2) but not in women (OR 1.1 95% CI 0.7–1.6). Comparing those in the lowest income quintile to the highest, men and women showed similar association with SFI (OR 7.2 95% CI 4.6–11.2 and OR 7.8 95% CI 5.1–11.7, respectively). Conclusions FI is a big concern in the LAS especially in women. Low educational attainment is highly associated with SFI among women. This might be associated with their high unemployment status and low income. A better understanding of the causes of FI in women is essential to inform intervention programs. Funding Sources N/A.