Aging Vs Food Accessibility in Asia with A Focus on Iran: A Sociological Appraisal

The paper explores how Asia as the largest continent with over fifty countries is facing food supply. While some well off and industrial countries of the continent have adequate access to food services, many others are not so. One of the social groups being seriously hurt by food problems, is the increasing aging people with no income, no pensions and isolated from work. Many Asian countries with longer life expectancy and increasing socio-economic expectations are in constant shortage of food and other items. Therefore, such countries with increasing elderly people need improved policies and financial security to get rid of food poverty. While the Western world started terminating food insecurity in early 20th century, Asian countries still have a long way to go, to change the lifestyles of their aging populations as far as their food services, housing, health and well-being are concerned. However, the consequences of aging are reflected in all facets of life, such as quality of life, food shortage, isolation and loneliness. All such characteristics and many more, need problem-solving approaches to bring about peaceful and normal conditions in the lives of such people.

Keywords: Food accessibility; Aging; Life expectancy; Food insecurity; Pensions