(PS2-10) Examining the relationship between depression and aging among individuals living with food insecurity: A replication

Food insecurity, defined as limited access to adequate food due to financial constraints or lack of resources, affects about 12.6% of US households. Beyond physical health issues like malnutrition, food insecurity is a significant social determinant of health, particularly influencing mental well-being. Individuals facing food insecurity are more vulnerable to mental health disorders, especially anxiety and depression. Research has also found a relationship between depression and aging. Older age is associated with increased depression risk, yet this relationship is less clear when examined among individuals living with food insecurity. A recent secondary analysis of NHANES data from 2005-2016 found no association of age with depression in the context of food insecurity in a majority non-Hispanic White sample (Reeder et al., 2022). However, given significant extant research finding older adults are at increased risk of depression, we sought to determine if those findings would replicate in secondary analysis of mental health data collected between 2017-2023 in partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank (SAFB) in a majority Hispanic sample.Participants (N = 1976) aged 23 to 67 (M = 45.61, SD = 15.58) were clients of the SAFB and living with food insecurity. Participants were recruited in the waiting area for client services at SAFB headquarters.  Most participants identified as Latino/Hispanic (78%), and female (68%). For analyses participants were split into two groups, younger and older adults. Participants < 49 years of age were labeled as younger adults (58.4%). Participants aged 50 and older were labeled as older adults (41.6%). Food insecurity was assessed with the Radimer Cornell Food Insecurity Measure. To assess for depression, participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire- 8 (PHQ-8).All participants in the study reported experiencing some level of food insecurity. Consistent with past research, increased levels of food insecurity were associated with increased levels of depression F (2,1806 ) = 13.45, p < .001. The highest level of food insecurity, in which adults report having one or more hungry children at home, reported the highest level of depression. Consistent with Reeder et al. (2022) was no statistically significant relationship between depression and age.Due to the breadth of research demonstrating the relationship between depression and older age this study aimed to replicate contradicting findings of no relationship between age and depression among individuals living with food insecurity. Results supported a relationship between food insecurity and depression. Reflective of previous research, a relationship between depression and age was not supported. Based on these results, while depression worsens with food insecurity, age does not appear to play a significant role. These findings highlight food insecurity as a driving factor in depression in those living with food insecurity, above and beyond other contributing factors such as age. However, given recent government changes, risk of food insecurity is likely to rise in the United States in all age groups, highlighting the importance of continuing to study both risk factors and intervention strategies for those living with food insecurity.