Food insecurity, weight and nutritional status among older adults attending senior centres in Lisbon

Nutritional status is important to elders to live without disabilities. Food Insecurity (FI) is a risk factor associated with poorer nutritional status among elderly as well as a social determinant. This research aimed to identify FI prevalence and to explore the relation between FI, weight status and socio-demographic factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2015 to February 2016 in Lisbon. Malnutrition was determined using Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). FI was assessed using FIES (Food Insecurity Experience Scale) and social risk using Gijon's social-familiar evaluation scale. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and anthropometric indices were measured according to Isak procedures. Results: A sample of 337 subjects, with an average age of 78.4 years old (range 66–99), mostly women (n = 210; 62.3%) were enrolled. 70.0% were FI, whereas 40.7% was at risk of malnutrition, 4.7% were malnourished and 34.7% of participants presented high social risk. Being a woman, FI, reported Depression, Loneliness, Acute Myocardial Infarction, Cerebrovascular Accident, Diabetes, being aged 74–85 years old, Health status and attending SC for less than 5 years were contributors to risk of malnutrition/malnutrition. Lack of money, socialization as a reason for attending SC, Social Risk and Diabetes were related to FI. There was no correlation between FI and obesity, but a positive correlation between FI and weight was found. Conclusion: Nutritional status and food insecurity on the studied sample were associated with their health status and also with their social circumstances, such as diabetes, loneliness and lack of economic resources.