Household Income, Food Insecurity and Nutritional Status of Migrant Workers in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

Chan Foong Mei,Lau Xiao Chuan,Jacklyn San Gabriel,Erwin Martinez Faller

doi:10.5334/aogh.2859

Abstract

Background and Purpose:Food insecurity exists whenever accessibility to nutritious food is limited. It affects a person’s health with regards to nutritional status, indicated by malnourishment or overnutrition. This study aims to study the relationship between household income, household food insecurity, and weight status of migrant workers in Klang Valley, Selangor.Method:A cross-sectional study involving a convenience sampling of 125 documented migrant workers from five selected countries was conducted. A researcher-administered questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic questions, three-day 24-hour dietary recall (3DR), and nine-item Household Food Insecurity Access Scale was used. Anthropometric measurements, including body weight, height, and waist circumference, were taken.Findings:About 57.6% of the households studied were food insecure (24.8% mildly, 29.6% moderately, and 3.2% severely). Burmese were found to have the highest rate of household food insecurity (96%). The majority of the migrant workers were of normal weight (68.0%). No significant relationship was found between monthly household income and household food security status (p = 0.475), as well as between household food security status and weight status (p = 0.535).Conclusion:Results imply that food security status affects certain nutrient intake among migrant workers. There were no significant associations between variables. Interventions focusing on nutritional education on food choices and implementation on health policy are recommended. Further studies should consider the accessibility, nutritional-related diseases, and dietary aspects of migrant workers, which are risk factors for food insecurity.

Highlights

Food insecurity is a significant nutritional issue that occurs worldwide and commonly found in low-cost households in many developed and developing countries, especially in the Asian region [1]
Wirth et al 2007 found that income was the single greatest predictor of hunger and food insecurity, followed by migratory status but in the case of this study since it has been established that there is no significant relationship between monthly household income and household food security status, it compels the researchers to look at other probable risk factors that contribute to the food insecurity status of these respondents [8]
In terms of food security status, this study found that food insecurity did not have an impact on body mass index (BMI), or no relationship could be established between BMI and household food security status

Summary

Introduction

Food insecurity is a significant nutritional issue that occurs worldwide and commonly found in low-cost households in many developed and developing countries, especially in the Asian region [1]. There is always an association between food insecurity and low income, poverty, insufficient and imbalance food intake as well as poor weight status. Studies on the relationship between household food insecurity and nutritional status of Malaysians are well-established [1, 2], there is no prevalent study on these variables among Migrant workers in Malaysia. Food insecurity exists whenever accessibility to nutritious food is limited It affects a person’s health with regards to nutritional status, indicated by malnourishment or overnutrition. This study aims to study the relationship between household income, household food insecurity, and weight status of migrant workers in Klang Valley, Selangor. Further studies should consider the accessibility, nutritional-related diseases, and dietary aspects of migrant workers, which are risk factors for food insecurity

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion