Aim
Food insecurity is a global public health concern; however, there is limited knowledge about its health impacts in India. We examined the associations of food insecurity with socioeconomic conditions, chronic disease and various domains of health and well-being in a community sample of middle-aged and older adults (45+ years) in India.
Methods
Cross-sectional nationally representative data were collected in wave 1 (2017–2018) of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India. Food insecurity was measured by questions of access and availability of food. We used logistic regression analyses to examine associations of food insecurity with poor self-rated health, limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, low life satisfaction, depression, sleep problems and low body mass.
Results
Food insecurity related to all seven indicators of poor health and well-being, even after controlling for material wealth and the presence of multimorbidity (which food insecurity also predicted). Associations with mental health were stronger for those for physical health. For instance, food insecurity related to a threefold increase in probable depression (OR=2.9, 95% CI=2.4 to 3.4) and low life satisfaction (OR=3.4, 95% CI=2.9 to 3.8).
Conclusions
Food insecurity is a powerful social determinant of poor health among older adults in India. Policy measures to improve population health and well-being should closely follow trends in food insecurity, particularly among those living in poverty and with multiple health conditions.