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Article

Social Determinants of the Non-Utilization of the Supplementary Feeding Program (PACAM) Aimed at Older Adults’ Nutritional Support

by
Sandra Alvear-Vega
1 and
Héctor Vargas-Garrido
2,*
1
Faculty of Economics, University of Talca, Talca 3462227, Chile
2
Faculty of Psychology, University of Talca, Talca 3462227, Chile
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14580; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114580
Submission received: 1 October 2022 / Revised: 24 October 2022 / Accepted: 4 November 2022 / Published: 7 November 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frailty in the Elderly: Issues and Challenges)

Abstract

Chile has implemented the PACAM program to support older people with nutrition and for the prevention of malnutrition and frailty. This work aims to identify the social determinants of older persons not withdrawing PACAM food in order to obtain helpful knowledge for improving the program. First, the CASEN Survey 2017 was used (960,498 observations); the inclusion criterion was PACAM recipients (Yes/No). Next, a probit model was performed with a dichotomous response to determine the marginal effects of each independent variable (e.g., demographic, health, and social). The model shows a good fit (64.4%) with an explained variance between 10.5% to 14.1%. Those variables with more significant marginal effects are people aged 70–75, having tertiary and secondary education, urban living, not participating in social organizations, immigrants, and living in the austral zone. On the other hand, a higher likelihood of consumption was found among people of greater vulnerability (lowest income, lowest education, low health insurance, and aged over 80) and, therefore, in greater fragility. To conclude, the program achieves effective targeting, although improvement actions are required to expand coverage in some groups (indigenous people, immigrants, and people with disabilities). Moreover, authorities should evaluate and reinforce the program with tailored strategies for the older adults who actually withdraw food.
Keywords: older people; social determinants of health; nutrition; malnutrition; frailty; risk factors older people; social determinants of health; nutrition; malnutrition; frailty; risk factors

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Alvear-Vega, S.; Vargas-Garrido, H. Social Determinants of the Non-Utilization of the Supplementary Feeding Program (PACAM) Aimed at Older Adults’ Nutritional Support. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 14580. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114580

AMA Style

Alvear-Vega S, Vargas-Garrido H. Social Determinants of the Non-Utilization of the Supplementary Feeding Program (PACAM) Aimed at Older Adults’ Nutritional Support. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(21):14580. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114580

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alvear-Vega, Sandra, and Héctor Vargas-Garrido. 2022. "Social Determinants of the Non-Utilization of the Supplementary Feeding Program (PACAM) Aimed at Older Adults’ Nutritional Support" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 21: 14580. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114580

APA Style

Alvear-Vega, S., & Vargas-Garrido, H. (2022). Social Determinants of the Non-Utilization of the Supplementary Feeding Program (PACAM) Aimed at Older Adults’ Nutritional Support. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(21), 14580. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114580

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