Premium
Factors contributing to food insecurity among older persons in Malaysia: Findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey ( NHMS ) 2018
Author(s) -
Salleh Ruhaya,
Man Cheong Siew,
Ahmad Mohamad Hasnan,
Palaniveloo Lalitha,
Zulkafly Norlida,
Ab.Halim Siti Adibah,
Baharudin@Shaharuddin Azli,
Sulaiman Norhasmah,
Che Abdul Rahim Norsyamlina,
Abdul Aziz Nur Shahida,
Mohd Sallehuddin Syafinaz,
Pardi Munawara,
Zainuddin Ahmad Ali,
Abdul Ghaffar Suhaila,
Shahar Suzana,
Selamat Rusidah,
Ibrahim Wong Norazizah
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
geriatrics and gerontology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1447-0594
pISSN - 1444-1586
DOI - 10.1111/ggi.14006
Subject(s) - medicine , environmental health , malnutrition , food insecurity , supplemental nutrition assistance program , logistic regression , gerontology , stratified sampling , social support , cross sectional study , descriptive statistics , poverty , food security , psychology , geography , agriculture , statistics , mathematics , archaeology , pathology , economic growth , economics , psychotherapist
Aim Older persons are vulnerable to food insecurity. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of food insecurity and associated factors among older persons in Malaysia. Methods This is a cross‐sectional study with two‐stage stratified random sampling. In total, 3977 older persons participated in this study. Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted using a mobile device to obtain information about socio‐demographic background, food insecurity, non‐communicable diseases, social support and living arrangements. Descriptive and multiple complex sample logistic regression analyses were performed for data analysis. Results The overall prevalence of food insecurity among older persons was 10.4%. Older persons from rural areas with no or only primary and secondary education, income less than RM 2000 (USD 477.57), at risk of malnutrition and not receiving very high social support were more likely to be food‐insecure. Conclusion Approximately, one‐tenth of Malaysian older adults were classified as food‐insecure; particularly those living in rural areas from lower socio‐economic status, not receiving very high social support and malnourished were more likely to be at risk. A specific nutrition program, such as meals on wheels and food vouchers, should be targeted toward older persons who are at risk to improve their malnutrition status. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 73–78 .