Food insecurity and cognitive function in older adults: findings from the longitudinal aging study in India

BACKGROUND: As we grow older, food insecurity (FI) may have an impact on our cognitive abilities. The study examines the association of FI with the cognitive function of older adults in India. METHODS: We have used the data from the first wave of the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI), with a sample of 27,032 older adults aged 60 years and older. Bivariate analysis and linear regression models with clusters were applied to show the association. The cognitive performance tests include episodic memory, orientation, arithmetic function, executive function, and object naming. RESULTS: The mean cognition was 24.2 (range 0–43), while 36.4%, 2.1%, and 6.4% experienced mild, moderate, and severe FI, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, mild (β = −0.18, 95% CI: −0.32, − 0.04) and severe (β = −0.52, 95% CI: −0.82, − 0.22) food insecurity was associated with poor overall cognitive performance. Domain-specific differences in cognition, such as memory, orientation, arithmetic function, executive function, and object naming, were also validated by the level of FI. CONCLUSION: The finding suggests that FI is associated with a poor level of cognition among older adults, highlighting the need for increasing the coverage and intervention strategies to address FI in India. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-023-05118-8.