Food insecurity linked to higher dementia risk, study finds

A new study from American and British researchers links food insecurity to a higher risk of cognitive impairment and dementia among aging adults. An analysis of nearly nine years of data from 5,851 adults aged 50 and older found that those who experienced food insecurity were more likely to develop cognitive problems later, with the strongest effects seen in those under 65.

Published in JAMA Network Open, the study used data from the Health and Retirement Study, a long-running look at aging in the United States. At baseline, the average participant was 67 years old; about 9% faced low food security, 7% faced very low food security, and more than 83% were food secure. Participants underwent cognitive assessments every two years, categorized from normal aging to mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

Statistical analyses adjusted for wealth, education and pre-existing health conditions showed that individuals with low or very low food security were roughly 1.6 to 1.8 times more likely to develop cognitive impairment or dementia during the follow-up period than food-secure peers. Notably, age modified the association: the risk was more than doubled for adults under 65, while the link among those over 65 was weaker and often not statistically significant.

Researchers noted that inadequate nutrition can directly affect brain health and that the chronic stress associated with hunger may keep the body's stress response activated, contributing to cognitive decline over time. The findings imply that interventions aimed at alleviating food insecurity in midlife—roughly ages 50 to 65—could yield the greatest brain-health benefits later in life.

Food insecurity is a pervasive issue in the United States, affecting millions each year. The study drew on the Health and Retirement Study and followed participants for about nine years. The authors urged expanding nutrition assistance programs, including senior meal programs at community centers and strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in aging populations.

These results add to a body of research linking hunger and poor diet to cardiovascular and metabolic problems, which are themselves risk factors for cognitive decline. The study's authors emphasized that addressing food insecurity could be a public-health measure to protect brain health across the lifespan.

While more research is needed to establish causality and determine the most effective interventions, the study highlights a potential window in midlife for dementia prevention by ensuring reliable access to nutritious food.