Preventing frailty and depression may improve sleep health in those who are food insecure

Extensive research reveals the close relationship between food insecurity and the occurrence of sleep problems due to mental health. In the case of older persons, it is also essential to consider whether, in addition to poor mental health, physical health also acts as a mediator between food insecurity and sleep deficiency. Using the baseline data of the Longitudinal Study of Ageing and Health in the Philippines (LSAHP), the study analyzed whether poor physical health or frailty and depressive symptoms in older persons mediated the association of food insecurity with sleep deficiency. In the study, frailty was defined according to Fried’s criteria, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) Scale. Indicators for sleep deficiency were conceptualized using items on self-reported sleep of less than 6 hours, difficulty falling asleep, and difficulty staying asleep. Food insecurity was operationalized as being hungry and not having enough food over the past three months within the household. Using mediation analysis, the study revealed that frailty and depressive symptoms fully mediate the effects of food insecurity on sleep deficiency among community-dwelling older Filipinos. This finding showing the interplay between physical and mental health can shed light on specific program interventions to ensure better health, particularly addressing sleep deficiencies among the lower economic categories of the older population.

Authors: Tuo-Yu Chen (Taipei Medical University), Grace Cruz (University of the Philippines Diliman) and Yasuhiko Saito (Nihon University)

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igac059.3130