UCSF

BACKGROUND: The US homeless population is aging. Older adults and those living in poverty are at a high risk of food insecurity. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a population-based study of 350 homeless adults aged ≥50. We assessed food security and receipt of food assistance. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine factors associated with very low food security. RESULTS: The majority of the cohort was male and African American. Over half (55.4%) met criteria for food insecurity, 24.3% reported very low food security. Half (51.7%) reported receiving monetary food assistance. In the multivariable model, those who were primarily sheltered in the prior 6 months, (multi-institution users [AOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.22-0.86]) had less than half the odds of very low food security compared with those who were unsheltered. Depressive symptoms (AOR = 3.01, 1.69-5.38), oral pain (AOR = 2.15, 1.24-3.74) and cognitive impairment (AOR = 2.21, 1.12-4.35) were associated with increased odds of very low food security. CONCLUSIONS: Older homeless adults experience a high prevalence of food insecurity. To alleviate food insecurity in this population, targeted interventions must address specific risk groups.