Abstract
Food security among migrants and refugees remains an international public health issue. However, research among ethnic minorities in Australia is relatively low. This study explored the factors that influence the understanding of food labelling and food insecurity among Libyan migrants in Australia. An online survey was completed by 271 Libyan migrant families. Data collection included the 18-item US Household Food Security Survey Module (for food security) and a question from the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Consumer Label Survey (for food labelling comprehension). Multivariable logistic regression modelling was utilised to identify the predictors of food label comprehension and food security. Food insecurity prevalence was 72.7% (n = 196) while 35.8% of families (n = 97) reported limited food label understanding. Household size, food store location, and food affordability were found to be significantly related to food insecurity. However, gender, private health insurance, household annual income, education, and food store type and location were found to be significantly related to food labelling comprehension. Despite the population’s high educational status and food labelling comprehension level, food insecurity remained an issue among the Libyan migrants. Policy makers should consider the incorporation of food label comprehension within a broader food security approach for migrants.
Highlights
Food insecurity is more than the availability of sufficient quantities of food
The aim of this study is to identify the prevalence of food insecurity among Libyan migrant families in Australia and the level of food label comprehension
In terms of the respondents’ understanding of food labels, our study found that more than one-third of the participants had a limited understanding of food labels
Summary
Food insecurity is more than the availability of sufficient quantities of food. It exists “whenever the availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or the ability to acquire acceptable food in socially acceptable ways, is limited or uncertain” [1]. Food insecurity is often seen in residents of low- and middle-income countries. Food insecurity is prevalent in high-income countries, with higher rates seen among some population groups. In the USA, 10.5% of households were reported to be food insecure. A recent systematic review reported that food insecurity in Australia ranged between 2% and 90% [5] among different population groups. The majority of studies included in the systematic review used a single-item measure to ascertain food insecurity, with results ranging from 2% among older Australians to 76% among remote Indigenous communities [5]. A few studies used the seven-item USDA measure and reported food insecurity to be as high as 48% among university students and up to 90% among asylum seekers in Australia [5]
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