Loneliness As a Factor of Food Vulnerability in Older Adults

The paper presents some of the provisional results from the research project Food, Aging, and Loneliness: Culture and Contemporary Ethnographies. It examines the intersection between loneliness and food vulnerability among older adults, an increasing public health issue in aging societies. While food vulnerability has traditionally been studied through economic, geographic, and health-related factors, loneliness has emerged as a critical yet underexplored determinant. The research is based on qualitative interviews and case studies of elderly individuals living alone in urban and rural settings, as well as secondary data from national aging surveys.

The findings suggest that loneliness significantly contributes to food vulnerability in older adults through three main mechanisms. First, loneliness reduces the motivation to purchase or prepare nutritious meals, often leading to unhealthy eating habits or skipping meals. Second, social isolation limits older adults' access to informal support networks that could provide assistance with food acquisition, such as sharing meals with family, friends, or neighbors. Third, prolonged loneliness is associated with mental health issues that exacerbate physical health conditions, further impairing the ability to obtain and consume adequate food. These factors are especially pronounced among those living in remote areas or those with limited access to transportation and food delivery services.

The results therefore suggest that food vulnerability is not only an issue of economic scarcity but is deeply linked to emotional and social isolation. These findings challenge traditional approaches that often overlook psychosocial and cultural dimensions.

Finally, the need is highlighted to broaden policy responses to food vulnerability among older adults to incorporate social, emotional, and cultural dimensions. Community-based interventions that foster social connections, such as community dining programs or neighborhood food-sharing initiatives, are advocated as a way to alleviate both loneliness and food vulnerability.