Socioeconomic disparities and nutritional aging: how food insecurity and financial hardship accelerate health decline in older adults
Journal
Frontiers in Nutrition
ISSN
2296861X
Date Issued
2026-06-08
Author(s)
Campuzano-Donoso, Martín
Román-Galeano, Náthaly-Mercedes
Castano Jimenez, Janeth
Paz-Yépez, Carolina
Montalvan, Martha
Type
Article
Abstract
This narrative review examines how socioeconomic disparities accelerate health decline in older adults. As the global population ages, older age represents a major risk factor for chronic diseases, frailty, and disability, particularly in socially disadvantaged groups. While adequate nutrition is essential to healthy aging, approximately 28% of the global population experiences moderate or severe food insecurity, with older adults disproportionately affected in resource-limited settings. Food insecurity and financial hardship are consistently associated with poorer diet quality, including lower Healthy Eating Index scores (e.g., ~51 vs. >57 in food-secure peers), and increased risk of adverse outcomes such as sarcopenia, frailty, and cognitive decline. Notably, food-insecure older adults are also more likely to experience overweight or obesity (OR ≈ 1.29), reflecting reliance on energy-dense, nutrient-poor diets. These disparities are shaped by structural and socioeconomic factors, including low income, limited education, inadequate social safety nets, and inequitable neighborhood food environments. Addressing these challenges requires a shift from individual-level interventions to systemic, interdisciplinary, and culturally-tailored approaches. Copyright © 2026 Reytor-González, Campuzano-Donoso, Román-Galeano, Castano Jimenez, Paz-Yépez, Montalvan and Simancas-Racines.