A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition has found that food insufficiency is associated with more rapid cognitive decline. 

Researchers analyzed data for thousands of individuals regarding their level of food insecurity, cognitive health and whether they benefitted from the United States federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

People who were economically eligible for SNAP but who did not participate in the program experienced a faster cognitive decline rate, equivalent to what might be expected if they were 4.5 years older than their actual age.

“Unfortunately,” says Colleen Heflin, professor and chair of public administration and international affairs (not involved in the study), “my own work suggests that cognitive decline can act as a barrier to SNAP participation among older adults eligible for the program, due to the difficult administrative processes associated with demonstrating program eligibility.”

Read more in the Medical News Today article, "Faster cognitive decline linked with food insufficiency in new study."