A Food Insecurity Systematic Review: Experience from Malaysia

Norhasmah Sulaiman,Leh Shii Law,Joanna Russell,Heather Yeatman

doi:10.3390/nu13030945

Abstract

Living free from hunger is a basic human right. However, some communities still experience household food insecurity. This systematic literature review explored different aspects of household food insecurity in Malaysia including vulnerable groups, prevalence, risk factors, coping strategies, and the consequences of food insecurity. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Thirty-three relevant articles were selected from scientific databases such as CINAHL, Pubmed and Google Scholar, scrutiny of reference lists, and personal communication with experts in the field. The prevalence of household food insecurity in Malaysia was unexpectedly reported as high, with affected groups including Orang Asli, low-income household/welfare-recipient households, university students, and the elderly. Demographic risk factors and socioeconomic characteristics included larger household, living in poverty, and low education. Coping strategies were practices to increase the accessibility of food in their households. Consequences of household food insecurity included psychological, dietary (macro- and micronutrient intakes), nutritional status, and health impacts. In conclusion, this review confirmed that household food insecurity in Malaysia continues to exist. Nevertheless, extensive and active investigations are encouraged to obtain a more holistic and comprehensive picture pertaining to household food security in Malaysia.

Highlights

This review provides critical holistic information about food insecurity in high-risk populations in Malaysia, including prevalence, contributing factors, coping strategies, and consequences of household food insecurity
During the early period covered by this review, limited attention from researchers was given to household food insecurity as Malaysia was experiencing rapid economic development, in the 1980s and 1990s [134]
Through analysis on the studies, objectives of this systematic review were achieved, with information obtained on the prevalence of household food insecurity, risk factors for household food insecurity, coping strategies during household food insecurity, and consequences of household food insecurity

Summary

Introduction

‘Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life’ [3]. The definition of food security is multidimensional, built on four ‘pillars’, namely physical availability of food, economic and physical access to food, food utilization, and stability of the three dimensions over time [4]. Food insecurity exists whenever “the availability of nutritional adequate and safe foods or ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways is limited or uncertain” [5]. Food security has been recognized as a significant concern at the global, national, community, household and individual levels. Food insecurity was reported as affecting approximately one in ten households (12.3%) in the U.S [8], and 6.0% of households in Canada [9]

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion