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Food Security and Psychological Distress among the Elderly in India

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  • Pallabi Gogoi
  • Bhabesh Hazarika

Abstract

Food insecurity affects nutrition, physical health and consequently one’s psychological well-being. Using a nationally representative longitudinal cohort of 29,308 Indian elderly people (aged 60+ years), this article examines the relationship between food insecurity and psychological distress. Self-reported emotional status experienced over the week before data collection was considered to construct psychological distress at the individual level. Based on the results of logistic regression, controlling for several demographic and socioeconomic factors, a strong relationship was observed between food insecurity and psychological distress among the Indian elderly. This relationship is moderately higher in females than in males when accounting for demographic and socioeconomic confounders. These findings have important policy implications urging intervention to enhance food security in the elderly at risk and to improve their physical and psychological health.

Suggested Citation

  • Pallabi Gogoi & Bhabesh Hazarika, 2022. "Food Security and Psychological Distress among the Elderly in India," Review of Development and Change, , vol. 27(2), pages 214-237, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:revdev:v:27:y:2022:i:2:p:214-237
    DOI: 10.1177/09722661221136403
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. repec:mpr:mprres:5077 is not listed on IDEAS
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    5. Sarah C. White & Antonia Fernandez & Shreya Jha, 2016. "Beyond the grumpy rich man and the happy peasant: mixed methods and the impact of food security on subjective dimensions of wellbeing in India," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(3), pages 332-348, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cornelius Osei-Owusu & Satveer Dhillon & Isaac Luginaah, 2024. "The impact of food insecurity on mental health among older adults residing in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(3), pages 1-22, March.

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