Bridging the gap
Technology-driven solutions to overcome food insecurity and improve nutrition access for older adults
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22082186 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Claudia Reytor-González (0009-0007-4234-5524, Universidad Indoamérica), Martín Campuzano-Donoso (0000-0001-5317-8548, Universidad Indoamérica), Maritza Aguirre Munizaga (Universidad Agraria del Ecuador), Maritza Aguirre-Munizaga (0000-0003-0708-1811, Universidad Agraria del Ecuador), Oki Yonatan Oentiono (Indira Gandhi Government Medical College & Hospital), Jimenez Jimenez (Indiana University School of Medicine), Janeth Castano Jimenez (Indiana University School of Medicine), Martha Montalvan (Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo), Daniel Simancas-Racines (Universidad Indoamérica) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 14 |
| Publication date | 2026-07-07 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1847218 |
| OpenAlex | W7167573349 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 149 |
Food insecurity and social isolation are interrelated challenges affecting many older adults, with overlapping pathways that include limited income, reduced mobility, difficulty shopping or preparing meals, loss of shared mealtime routines, and lack of practical support for food procurement. These pathways may contribute to poorer dietary intake, malnutrition risk, deteriorating health, and reduced quality of life. As the global population ages, digital health and assistive technologies may support selected aspects of nutrition access, care coordination, and social connectedness, although their effects depend on implementation context and the availability of human and community support. This review explores the potential of tools such as wearable devices, telehealth services, virtual community centers, GIS mapping, and mobile markets in addressing these challenges. It also highlights the importance of integrating caregivers and coordinated care teams into technology-driven interventions to improve outcomes for older adults with limited access to traditional services. While these innovations present exciting opportunities, barriers such as the digital divide, limited digital literacy, data privacy concerns, and the risk of widening existing health disparities must be addressed. Ensuring that technologies are designed inclusively, ethically, and with input from older users is essential for building scalable, sustainable solutions that truly enhance the quality of lives of aging individuals. As digital health continues to evolve, it must prioritize equity, accessibility, and human-centered design to effectively support aging in place and reduce the burden of food insecurity and social isolation
Digital health · Food security · Health care · Malnutrition · Population · Psychological intervention · Telehealth · Wearable technology · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Nutrition and Health in Aging · Technology Use by Older Adults
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Why do people use food delivery apps (FDA)? A uses and gratification theory perspective
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Examining Geographic Food Access, Food Insecurity, and Urbanicity among Diverse, Low-Income Participants in Austin, Texas
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Chronic disease burden predicts food insecurity among older adults
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Effectiveness of mobile produce markets in increasing access and affordability of fruits and vegetables among low-income seniors
Mobile app increases vegetable-based preparations by low-income household cooks
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Identifying Food Insecurity in Health Care Settings
Meals on wheels services and the food security of older people
Remote care technologies, older people and the social care crisis in the United Kingdom
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Barriers and bridges
Using syndemic theory to understand food insecurity and diet-related chronic diseases
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |