Award Date

5-1-2021

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

Epidemiology and Biostatistics

First Committee Member

Lung-Chang Chien

Second Committee Member

Courtney Coughenour

Third Committee Member

Karen Callahan

Fourth Committee Member

Francisco Sy

Fifth Committee Member

Ian McDonough

Number of Pages

87

Abstract

Background: Income is the strongest predictor of food insecurity among seniors, and social support also an essential factor to help mitigate the effects of food insecurity. However, little is known about the potential role that social support may play as a moderator of the association between income and food insecurity. Thus, we aim to examine social support as a moderator for the relationship between income and food insecurity among seniors. Methods: Logistic regression models were used to analyze data collected in 2019 from seniors residing in Southern Nevada. Predictors of food insecurity, sociodemographic factors, social support variables, and income and social support interaction were included in the analysis. Results: The prevalence rate of food insecurity was about 29%. Seniors with annual household incomes less than $20,000 were more likely to report food insecurity. (OR = 7.67; 95% CI: 5.00-11.77). Seniors who were "not content with friendship" more likely to report food insecurity (OR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.43-3.60). The social support variable "not satisfied with my relationships" moderated the relationship of income and food insecurity among seniors in the age group of 65-79 years with incomes less than $20,000 (OR = 4.09, 95% CI: 1.03-16.33). Also, seniors who were "content with friendships" showed a conditional effect on the relationship of income and food insecurity among those with a disability in the lower-income category. Conclusion: This study identified groups at higher risk of food insecurity. Findings can be used to develop targeted interventions and outreach efforts in Southern Nevada.

Keywords

Food insecurity; Seniors; Social support; Southern Nevada

Disciplines

Biostatistics | Epidemiology

File Format

pdf

File Size

1954 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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