[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# Gaps in Governmental Nutrition Support for the Malnourished Older Adult

## Details

**Authors** Sawyer L

**Year** 2022

**Publisher** Journal of Systems Thinking 2(1):1-26

**Kind of work** article

**Discipline** Public Health

**Reading level** intermediate

**Kind of engagement** scholarly

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.54120/jost.2025-0070LS) 
10.54120/jost.2025-0070LS

## In authors' words

### Abstract

Malnutrition and poor dietary habits are a major concern for home-bound, socially isolated older adults. The Systems Thinking ABA approach was employed to examine the gaps within governmental nutrition assistance in the older adult aging-in-place community. Governmental nutrition assistance programs aim to reduce food insecurity in this population, but fail to address mental health’s negative effects on dietary habits. Developing effective governmental and community programming surrounding dietary habits, social facilitation and social support can improve dietary habits and dietary intake in the older adult community.

### What they set out to do (purpose)

A paper using the systems-thinking Agent-Based Approach to examine gaps in governmental nutrition assistance for home-bound, socially isolated older adults.

### What they found (results)

The programs aim at food insecurity but miss mental health's negative effects on dietary habits; programming built around social facilitation and social support would improve dietary intake in the aging-in-place community.

## Commentary

### In short

Uses the Agent Based Approach to find gaps in government nutrition support for home-bound older adults, especially the role of mental health in eating habits.

### Response

Applies Cabrera's Agent-Based Approach to federal nutrition assistance and identifies a gap the programs do not address: mental health's effect on eating habits among home-bound older adults. An application producing a specific policy finding.

**Patterns it shows** R

**How to cite this** Sawyer L (2022). Gaps in Governmental Nutrition Support for the Malnourished Older Adult. Journal of Systems Thinking 2(1):1-26.