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Impact of food insecurity with hunger on mental distress among community-dwelling older adults

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  • Razak M Gyasi
  • Bernard Obeng
  • Joseph Y Yeboah

Abstract

Background: Hunger frequently and persistently occur in older populations in low-income countries especially in sub-Sahara Africa. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between food insecurity with hunger and psychological distress among older people in Ghana. Methods: A total of 1200 individuals aged ≥50 years were recruited during 2016/2017 Ageing, Health, Psychological Well-being and Health-seeking Behavior Study. Associations between psychological distress (assessed with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) and hunger (assessed with a 30-day subjective scale) were evaluated using linear regression modeling. Results: The overall prevalence of food insecurity was 36% with approximately 27% and 9% respectively for moderate and severe levels of hunger whilst the mean score of psychological distress was 9.5 (±4.10). Persons experiencing moderate hunger (β = 0.71, SE = 0.160, p

Suggested Citation

  • Razak M Gyasi & Bernard Obeng & Joseph Y Yeboah, 2020. "Impact of food insecurity with hunger on mental distress among community-dwelling older adults," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(3), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0229840
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229840
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Daniel Amoak & Joseph Asumah Braimah & Williams Agyemang-Duah & Nancy Osei Kye & Florence Wullo Anfaara & Yujiro Sano & Roger Antabe, 2022. "Understanding the Link between Household Food Insecurity and Self-Rated Oral Health in Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Razak M Gyasi & Siaw Frimpong & Gilbert Kwabena Amoako & Anokye M Adam, 2021. "Financial inclusion and physical health functioning among aging adults in the sub-Saharan African context: Exploring social networks and gender roles," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(6), pages 1-15, June.
    3. Sibusiso Sifunda & Anthony David Mbewu & Musawenkosi Mabaso & Thabang Manyaapelo & Ronel Sewpaul & Justin Winston Morgan & Nigel Walsh Harriman & David R. Williams & Sasiragha Priscilla Reddy, 2023. "Prevalence and Psychosocial Correlates of Diabetes Mellitus in South Africa: Results from the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-17, May.
    4. Trudell, John Paul & Burnet, Maddison L. & Ziegler, Bianca R. & Luginaah, Isaac, 2021. "The impact of food insecurity on mental health in Africa: A systematic review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    5. Alloush, Mo & Bloem, Jeffrey R., 2022. "The psychological toll of food insecurity," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 618-630.

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