(PO05-07-22) Food Security, Technology Use and Access, and Wellbeing in Community-Dwelling Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Presenting Author(s)

Nathan Chiang, BS
– Graduate Research Assistant, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States

Co-Author(s)

SU

Sarah L. Ullevig, PhD, RD, LD
– Assistant Professor, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States
ES

Erica T. Sosa, PhD
– Associate Dean for Research and Associate Professor, Public Health, University of Texas at San Antonio, SAN ANTONIO, Texas, United States
MH

Meizi He, PhD
– Professor, University of Texas at San Antonio, SAN ANTONIO, Texas, United States
TZ

Tianou Zhang
– University of Texas at San Antonio
ZY

Zenong Yin
– University of Texas at San Antonio

Disclosure(s):

Nathan Chiang, BS: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionally affected older adults worsening issues like food insecurity and social isolation. Technology use could play key roles in accessing resources and maintaining well-being for this vulnerable population. The purpose of this study was to assess food security and its relationship to technology use and access and well-being in at-risk community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Older adults who attended congregate meal sites in November 2020 completed 606 paper and online surveys; 557 were included in the analysis. Food security was measured by the USDA Food Security Module 6-item short form. Technology use and access was measured using the National Health and Aging Trend Study survey. Well-being and social isolation questions were adapted from the Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 Survey. Chi squared analyses assessed the relationships among food security, technology, and well-being.

Results: Forty-two percent (n=234) of survey respondents indicated they were food insecure during the survey period. Age 60-70 (X₂=16.736, p< 0.001), Hispanic/Latino ethnicity (X₂=28.727, p< 0.001), and annual household income less than $20,000 (X₂=38.030, p< 0.001) were associated with food insecurity. Individuals who were food insecure were more likely to not have access to the internet (X₂=22.001, n=123, 53.9%, p< 0.001), to be extremely worried about their physical (X₂=14.488, n=132, 56.7%, p< 0.001) and mental health (X₂=34,390, n=106, 45.9%, p< 0.001), and report extreme distress (X₂=43.167, n=111, 48.3%, P< 0.001) as compared to those who were food secure. Additionally, those who reported food insecurity were more likely to feel socially isolated from others often (X₂=17.458, n=99, 43.0%, p< 0.001).

Conclusions: Food security in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with indicators of poor social and mental well-being and less access to the internet. Intervention addressing food security should consider addressing these factors.

Funding Sources: None