Lack of food options leaving the elderly malnourished
A shortage of healthy food options available in communites around Glasgow and the west is leaving one in ten elderly people malnourished, according to a new report.
A joint study by the University of Glasgow and the Food Train charity shows it's not just lack of money that's the problem but local shops closing down or having very limited choices.
It says barriers such as loneliness and the changing nature of the high street are leading to a lack of reliable access to healthy and nutritious food which is having is having a detrimental impact on physical health.
It found that many older people report finding cooking at home more challenging, often relying on cold and convenience food or eating less than they used to.
Psychologist Dr Kate Reid says: “The reasons for food insecurity and malnutrition amongst older adults living in their own home are complex and span across physical, psychological and social factors. It reflects a changing society where families live further away, where you may not always know your neighbour and where your high street may no longer look familiar or stock the basic food items that sustain health and wellbeing.”
Malnutrition and under-nutrition rates for older adults are reported to be as high as 1 in 10. Whilst malnutrition in older people is preventable, but the study says it has often been overlooked in response to more dominant public health messages surrounding diet and obesity.
The research calls for a rethink of how we understand food insecurity, particularly in relation to older adults, as access to food is not simply down to financial means.
The release of the research findings have been timed to coincide with UK Malnutrition Awareness Week 14th - 20th October 2019.
Food Train’s “The Eat Well Age Well” project is leading the campaign in Scotland and aims to destigmatise views around malnutrition by encouraging better communication with older people about eating well in later life.
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