Senior Hunger Statistics in 2023

What Is Senior Hunger?

Senior hunger refers to two groups of people, those who aren’t sure where their next meal will come from and those who — for a variety of reasons — don’t have access to nutritious foods.

Every year, over 5.5 million seniors age 60 and over experience hunger, and that number is increasing with the growing senior population. Senior hunger (or “food insecurity”) doesn’t only affect those who are starving. Anyone who lacks proper access to the nutrients required to maintain a healthy lifestyle could be considered food insecure. In other words, even people with enough food to stay full may suffer from senior hunger if they don’t meet their dietary requirements.

Senior hunger may be a form of elder abuse, since many of those who suffer are cared for by family or care home staff. These statistics on senior hunger contextualize the growing problem within the senior population, which, if addressed, could alleviate the pressure placed on seniors, their families, and the health care system.

Causes of Hunger in Seniors

The causes of senior hunger range from poverty, here defined as a financial situation inadequate to providing necessary dietary nutrition, to institutional abuse. Physical limitations may also be to blame, including an inability to get to a grocery store, difficulties with chewing due to dental issues, or medical conditions like advanced arthritis that could prevent seniors from cooking.

Statistics on Hunger in Seniors

• At least 7.1 percent of the senior population (60+) is defined as food insecure.
• Louisiana has the highest percentage of food-insecure seniors, at 13.4 percent.
• North Dakota has the lowest percentage of food-insecure seniors, at 2.8 percent.
• Seniors of nonwhite races are far more likely to experience hunger, including black seniors (380 percent) and Latino seniors (300 percent).
• 90 percent of the top 10 states suffering from senior hunger are in the southern U.S.
• Studies predict senior hunger will affect over 7 million seniors by 2050.
• Seniors with grandchildren are over twice as likely to experience hunger than those without.
• 57.4 percent of seniors experiencing food insecurity are female.
• Over 50 percent of seniors who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) don’t collect their benefits.
• Seniors with disabilities are over two-and-a-half times more likely to suffer from food insecurity.
• Seniors who suffer from chronic health conditions in addition to senior hunger spend more on health care than food-secure seniors with the same conditions.
• Food insecurity has been positively linked to increased inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, leading to higher chronic disease rates.
• Food insecurity has been positively linked to higher instances of poor blood sugar control in seniors with diabetes.
• The rate of senior hunger tends to be 10 percent higher for lower-income households than for average-income households
• For each of the 11 studied nutrients, food-insecure seniors have a 9 to 26 percent lower intake compared to those who are food secure.
• Seniors who are food insecure are 65 percent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes.
• Seniors who are food insecure are 250 percent more likely to be diagnosed with depression.
• Seniors who are food insecure are 91 percent more likely to be diagnosed with asthma.
• Seniors who are food insecure are 57 percent more likely to experience congestive heart failure.
• Seniors who are food insecure are 30 percent more likely to have trouble with at least one activity of daily living (ADL).
• Seniors who are food insecure are 66 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack.

Resources for Seniors and Food

There is help available for seniors who suffer from food insecurity and hunger. Consider these resources if you or a loved one fall into this category:

• Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): For seniors who qualify, the CSFP will help with food supplementation using nutrient-rich foods. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds CSFP to help food-insecure adults reach their dietary requirements.
• Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels offers community support through over 5,000 local charters. Each community runs its programs differently, but they all commit to helping food-insecure seniors eat better and live longer.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): SNAP helps low-income families supplement their income so they can buy nutritious food. Each state has different program requirements and benefits, so check your state’s benefits page to see if you qualify.
• Local Food Banks and Mobile Pantries: Many communities are part of a network of mobile pantries and food banks run by Feeding America. Search their page by your area ZIP code to see if they run a food supplement program for low-income families near you.

Though senior hunger is a prevalent issue that can be isolating and harmful, these food assistance programs can help seniors and their families find the resources they need to prevent or recover from food insecurity.