Hunger threatens 1 in 7 U.S. seniors

• Tweet

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 4 (UPI) -- More than 8 million U.S. seniors faced the threat of hunger in 2010 -- a 78 percent increase since 2001, The Meals On Wheels Research Foundation says.

The Senior Hunger Report Card evaluated the nation's performance in reducing food insecurity and eradicating hunger, and assigned grades including:

-- A grade of F for overall performance for the 34 percent increase of senior hunger since the start of the recession in 2007.

-- F for economics, as food insecurity increased among those age 60 and older, primarily with income one to two times the poverty level.

-- F for women's studies, the effects of food insecurity are disproportionately borne by women.

-- F in ethics, in the richest nation on Earth, more than 1 in 7 seniors is threatened by hunger.

The report was prepared by Dr. James P. Ziliak of the University of Kentucky and Dr. Craig Gundersen of the University of Illinois. It found the 10 states with the highest rates of seniors facing the threat of hunger were Mississippi (21.53 percent); New Mexico (21.24 percent); Arkansas (19.42 percent); Texas (18.14 percent); Tennessee (17.57 percent); Alabama (17.29 percent); Georgia (17.12 percent); South Carolina 17.10 percent); Florida (16.64 percent); and Nevada (16.50 percent).