An Analysis of the Prevalence and Predictors of Food Insecurity in Canadian Seniors

Food insecurity is a serious Canadian public health issue. As the Canadian population ages, it is important to know about the food insecurity experienced by seniors. Food insecurity among this group is a concern for its far-reaching effects on individual quality of life and health care services use and spending. Few studies have quantitatively explored the predictors of food insecurity among this growing group. This analysis examined changes in food insecurity rates among seniors using five waves of cross-sectional survey data from the Canadian Community Health Survey. Logistic and multinomial logistic models were employed to observe the effects of demographic, socioeconomic, social capital, and geographic factors on senior food insecurity. The results suggest that elderly food insecurity is complex and is influenced by income, demographic, health, social, and geographic factors. These factors should be accounted for in future policies surrounding food insecurity and poverty reduction among the elderly.M.Sc