Date Approved

2026

Degree Type

Open Access Senior Honors Thesis

Department or School

Health Sciences

First Advisor

Sarah Walsh, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Andrew C. Cornett, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Ann R. Eisenberg, Ph.D.

Abstract

Food insecurity is a growing concern among older adults and is associated with poor health outcomes, particularly among those with cancer. Community-based programs such as Meals on Wheels may help address these challenges, but their role in supporting older adults with cancer is not well understood. This study examined the association between recent non-skin cancer diagnosis and food insecurity, as well as relationships with Meals on Wheels participation. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using secondary data from Rounds 9 through 14 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults aged 65 and older (N ≈ 6,327). Chi-square tests of independence were used to evaluate associations between a recent cancer diagnosis and demographic, health, functional, food insecurity, and social variables. Cancer diagnosis in the preceding five years was significantly associated with poorer self-rated health (p = .001), hospitalization (p = .001), use of food assistance (p = .030), going without groceries (p = .050), restaurant meal frequency (p = .028), transportation barriers (p = .017), and food insecurity (p = .023). No significant association was found with Meals on Wheels participation (p = .729), although food insecurity was strongly associated with participation (p < .001). These findings suggest a gap in connecting older adults with cancer to nutrition support services.

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