Food Insecurity Across the Adult Life Span for Persons With Disabilities

Food insecurity is an inability to afford the food necessary for a healthy, active life. Using pooled data from the 2011-2014 National Health Interview Survey, this study compares food insecurity among young adults, working-age adults, and older adults with and without disabilities. Results confirm that adults with disabilities have higher odds of living in food-insecure households than adults without disabilities. For adults with and without disabilities, working-age persons face the highest levels of food insecurity compared with other age groups. Older adults face the lowest odds of living in food-insecure households. Across all age groups, persons with mental health limitations are particularly vulnerable.