Which category addresses the financial burden related to nutrition?

• A. Mealtime Problems
• B. Psychosocial Risk Factors
• C. Economic Risk Factors
• D. Physiologic Risk Factors

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is how financial constraints shape a person’s nutrition. Economic risk factors specifically cover the financial side of eating—income level, ability to afford nutritious foods, food insecurity, and related costs like transportation or competing housing expenses. When finances are tight, older adults may skip meals, buy cheaper or less nutritious foods, or have limited access to grocery stores, all of which can compromise nutrition status.

Mealtime problems involve physical or functional difficulties during eating, such as chewing or swallowing issues, dental problems, or motor limitations—not the financial aspect. Psychosocial risk factors refer to social and emotional factors like isolation or depression that can affect eating behaviors, but again not the direct financial barrier. Physiologic risk factors deal with disease processes and bodily changes that affect nutrition, such as malabsorption or metabolic changes, independent of costs.

So, the category that best addresses the financial burden related to nutrition is economic risk factors.