Food Consumption Score Research Articles

The ambivalent links between internal migration and food security in Uganda

ABSTRACT This study examines the drivers for and consequences of internal migration to household food security in Uganda. Based on the Ugandan National Panel Surveys conducted between 2010/11 and 2015/16, we estimate differences in food energy adequacy of households receiving internal migrants from elsewhere. Besides food energy consumption, this study applies household food consumption score (FCS) and looks at vulnerability in terms of household’s expenditures on food. This enables to explore (a) the extent to which food insecurity is driving internal migration, and (b) whether remittances can reduce food security of the remitter. We find that households are usually worse-off when migrants join the receiving family. This seems a departure from previous studies that tend to find welfare gains to internal migration, mostly due to changes in expenditures or dietary consumption without considering any thresholds for achieving food security. Based on these findings and responding to rising youth employment challenges associated with rapidly growing urban slums in Uganda, policies that simultaneously support employment creation in both urban and rural areas are urgently needed to enable better steering of the flow of voluntary migration and to help ensuring food security.

Household food consumption and nutritional status of children aged 6 to 59 months in Zinder, Niger Republic

Malnutrition exists in both urban and rural areas in Niger. An analysis of food and nutrition situation was carried out in the urban municipality of Zinder in order to contribute to a better understanding of the situation.This work was done from February to March 2018, at the household level,sampled by probabilistic method.The study involved 168 children from 6 to 59 months selected from 150 households in 15neighborhoods in the urban municipalities of Zinder. An analysis of the Food Consumption Score and Household Food Diversity Score showed acceptable food consumption and high food diversity respectively in58.7% and 67.3% of households.Furthermore, the results showed that the socio-economic characteristics that determined Score of food consumption were the main activities of heads of households and their wives. Food diversity was generally acceptable, although 2.7 %of households still had low dietary diversity in the study area.Also,food diversity remained low overall for nearly 8.9% of children with a rate of 6.0% for households headed by a woman.Nevertheless, the latter female-headed households had an estimated 13.7% of children with average individual food diversity. The prevalence of acute global malnutrition is 13.1% with the severe form at3%. It should be noted that girls were much more affected by this severe form (3.4%) compared to 2.5% for boys.However, stunting was more prevalent in males than in females with 57.5% and 46.6%,respectively. Moderate form accounting for 28.4% in females compared to 17.5% in males.This nutritional status reflects the relatively acceptable food situation in which these children lived. Furthermore, the appreciation of different foods and modes of consumption have shown on the one hand that the diet remains monotonous. On the other hand, this analysis revealed that cereal-based dishes accompanied by vegetable/leafy sauces predominated in these households in the study area.This situation exposes the members of these households and especially young children to the risk of malnutrition.

Does Microfinance Increase Food Security? Evidence from Nepal

This paper estimates the impact of participation in a microfinance program on household food security using primary data from Nepal. We also disentangle the relationship by gender. Using variants of propensity score matching to adequately address endogeneity of our treatment variable, we find evidence that microfinance has a positive effect on household food security measured by food consumption score. We also present evidence of significant increase in household food security when women are program participants. In comparison, we find no significant gender difference in the effect of microfinance on household food security status.

Effect of Covid-19 on food security: A cross-sectional survey

BackgroundNovel coronavirus (COVID-19) and subsequent quarantine could raise the risk of food inadequacy and nutrition deficiency crises.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the impacts of COVID-19 on household food security in Jordan, determined the percentage of food security and the levels of food insecurity during the quarantine, determined the associated factor with food insecurity, and determined main food groups associated with FINS during the quarantine.DesignA cross-sectional study was conducted using a Web-based validated questionnaire. The Food Insecurity Experience Scale was used to measure the food insecurity during the first four weeks of the quarantine, and a modified food consumption score was used to determine the number of times the household consumes each food group. Univariate and multiple logistic regression models were used to describe, explore, and predict risk factors correlated with food insecurity among Jordanians, during the first four weeks of the quarantine.ResultsA total of 3129 Jordanians had responded to the assessment and fully answered the questionnaire. 23.1% of the total participants were severe food insecure, while 36.1% were moderate food insecure, 40.7% were food secure. The regression model demonstrated the monthly income per capita below the poverty line and a number of the family member (1–4 and 5–7) associated significantly with moderate food insecurity (OR: 5.33; 95% CI: 4.44–6.40, OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.47–0.86, OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.58–0.98, respectively). As well as with the severe food insecurity (OR: 6.87; 95% CI: 5.542–8.512, OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.37–0.74, 0.64; 95% CI: 0.48–0.87, respectively). Age 18–30 years old (OR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.23–2.65) and living in a rented house (OR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.01–1.69) were associated significantly with severe food insecurity. Carbohydrates and the meat group were significantly related to food insecurity (p-value was <0.001 for both groups).ConclusionCovid-19 and its subsequent quarantine have a tangible impact on food security levels for the populations. Awareness and strategies to support individuals at higher risks should be guided not only by the income but also by other risk factors identified in the present study as the number of persons in the family, younger adults (18–30 years old), and those who do not own their houses).

Examining Factors Driving Changes in Food Choice Behavior of Rural Households in Adola Rede District, East Guji Zone, Ethiopia

Improving nutrition across the life course from conception through adulthood is essential for the long- term well- being of families and communities and for successful economic and social advancement. A key challenge to achieving sustainable improvement in adequate food choice behavior is the limited knowledge about drivers of food choice particularly among the poor in LMIC, of which Ethiopia is one. Therefore the objective of this study is to identify factors influencing food choice behavior of rural households in Adola Rede district. Multi-stage sampling procedures were employed. Probability sampling to size and random sampling techniques were used to determine study sits, sample respondents from each study sits and draw sample respondents respectively. Survey data was collected from 150 sample respondents using interview schedule. Focus group discussions were also conducted. Descriptive statistics and ordered logit model were employed. Food choice behaviors of the rural households were categorized depending on Food Consumption Score used widely by World Food Program. Among 13 variables used in model, dependency ratio, total land holding, number of livestock owned, access to credit, education and agro- ecology were significantly related to the rural households’ food choice behavior. The food choice behaviors of the household respondents were 30% poor, 45% borderline and 25% adequate food choice behavior. An overwhelmingly, three- fourth of the respondents were found to be inappropriate food choice behavior. Therefore, local government and nongovernmental organizations should give emphasis for improving food choice behavior through continuous training, coaching, asset building and capital mobilization and improving access to different service provider institutions. Keywords: Ethiopia; drivers; food consumption score; food choice; rural households; ordered logit model DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/101-02 Publication date: September 30 th 2020

Household food insecurity and association with sociodemographic factors in Abidjan

Abstract Background Surveys in Côte d'Ivoire have shown an increase in food insecurity. In rural areas, it rose from 12.6% in 2009 to 20% in 2013. The situation was even more serious in urban areas, with 71% of households experiencing food insecurity. In peri-urban areas resulting from inappropriate urbanization, the food security situation may present others specificities compared to the urban area. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the present situation of food security in a peri-urban neighborhood in Abidjan. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 648 households in April 2019. A structured interview was conducted. The questionnaire included households'sociodemographic characteristics on one side and measures of three food access indicators on the other. Those indicators were household food insecurity access scale (HFIAS), household dietary diversity score (HDDS) and household food consumption score (HFCS). Statistical analyses were carried out using Chi square test. Results Cereals and tubers were the most consumed foods 91.2% and 59.3% respectively. Few households consumed dairy products (1.4%), fruit (2%) and vegetables (7.9%). HFCS was adequate at 99.2% and HDDS was high in 44.2% of households. Only 3.8% of households were food secure. HFCS was related to the household head's age (p = 0.04). HDDS was associated with the sex and marital status of the household's head (respectively p = 0.019 and p &amp;lt; 0.001) while education levels and marital status were related to severe food insecurity (HFIAS) (p = 0.002 and p = 0.005 respectively). Conclusions Our results highlight that some sociodemographic factors are related with the food security. Therefore, policymakers, producers and consumers should work together to better understand food access in periruban area and to help improve the food environment in ivorian cities. Key messages People in Abidjan still lack dietary diversification and experience food insecurity. It is important to work on factors such as education level to improve food security.

Determinants of Crop Diversification and Its Effects on Household Food Security in Northern Ghana

This study analyses factors that determine smallholder farmers’ crop diversification decisions and their effects on household food security in Northern Ghana. A total of 1,284 households were sampled across the five northern regions of Ghana. Herfindahl Index for measuring crop diversification was used. The study found average crop diversity to be 0.55 and about 61 per cent of the sampled farmers had values above the average which indicated high crop diversification in the study area. The study also estimated the determinants of crop diversification and their effects on household dietary food security using the conditional mixed process model. Upon examining the determinants of crop diversification, occupation, technology adoption, labour, extension contact and farm size were identified as significant determinants. The study also computed the Household Food Consumption Score as a proxy for measuring food security. The result indicated that crop diversification contributes significantly to improving household food security status in Northern Ghana.

Authentication, phytochemical characterization and anti-bacterial activity of two Artemisia species

Artemisia species are aromatic herbs used as food and/or ethnomedicine worldwide; however, the use of these plants is often impeded by misidentification. Here, molecular and chemotaxonomic approaches were combined to assist in the morphology-based authentication of Artemisia species, and Artemisia indica and Artemisia argyi were identified. The plant extracts and compounds obtained from these species, 1,8-cineole, carveol, α-elemene, α-farnesene, methyl linolenate, diisooctyl phthalate inhibited the growth of food-borne harmful bacteria. Mechanistic studies showed that the extract and active compounds of A. indica killed Gram-negative and -positive bacteria via destruction of the bacterial membrane. Finally, in vivo data demonstrated that A. indica protected against bacterial infection in mice as evidenced by survival rate, bacterial load in organs, gut pathology, diarrhea, body weight, food consumption, stool weight, and pathology score. A. indica and its active compounds have potential for use as food supplements for food-borne bacterial diseases and thus improve human health.

Aid, collective action and benefits to smallholders: Evaluating the World Food Program's purchase for progress pilot

Agricultural commodity markets in developing countries often operate in a constrained environment of prohibitive transaction costs. Consequently, smallholder farmers are only partly integrated into these markets, a situation that keeps them in a lower level of development equilibrium (poverty trap). Although cooperative institutional alternatives such as Farmers’ Organizations (FOs) may reduce transaction costs and revitalize agricultural production and commercialization, they rarely have been successful in fully delivering on these promises. Against this backdrop, the World Food Programmed (WFP) has recently implemented a multi-year and multi-country pilot to increase smallholder participation in commodity markets. The projects involved investing in physical and human capacities of Farmer Organizations (FOs) to aggregate commodities and add value, as well as locally purchasing food aid from the same. The combination of interventions was expected to increase the relative price of agricultural products, particularly staple crops. In this study, using Ethiopian panel survey data, we estimated the causal income and investment effects of the Ethiopian P4P intervention among smallholders. Using an entropy balancing (EB) model and semi-parametric difference-in-difference (DID) model, we show that the P4P intervention has increased per capita consumption by smallholders. Our additional analysis confirms that this effect is heterogeneous owing to elite capture within Farmer Organizations. We also find evidence of increased food consumption scores, increased investments in child schooling, and increased asset holding among program-participating smallholders relative to comparison farmers. Policy implications are discussed.

969-P: Effects of Tirzepatide on Meal Intake and Appetite in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, tirzepatide (TZP), showed clinically meaningful HbA1c reduction and dose-dependent weight loss in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes in an 8-week, Phase 1, multiple ascending dose study. Decreased appetite was the most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse event, with nearly half of TZP-treated patients experiencing decreased appetite without nausea or vomiting. We explored the effects of TZP 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg on meal intake and appetite sensation in these patients. Standardized lunch and dinner meals were provided on Days -1, 2 and 51 (700 kCal; 20% protein, 25% fat, 55% carb). Amount (%) of meals consumed were recorded. Subjective ratings of appetite sensations were measured by a 100-mm visual analogue scale for parameters of hunger, fullness, satiety, and prospective food consumption pre- and 4-5h post-meal. Meal intake decreased on Day 2 (TZP 5 mg) and dose-dependently decreased with TZP vs. PBO on Day 51 (Figure). The proportion of meal occasions with ≥50% meal leftover was 0% (PBO) and 16.7% (TZP 5 mg) on Day 2 and 0% (PBO), 13.6% (TZP 5 mg), 18.2% (TZP 10 mg) and 30.0% (TZP 15 mg) on Day 51. There was a trend in decreasing hunger and fullness scores with all TZP doses vs. PBO on Day 51. However, satiety, prospective food consumption and overall appetite scores did not differ among groups. TZP dose-dependently reduced meal intake and demonstrated a trend in decreased hunger. Disclosure K. Ohwaki: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly Japan K.K. K. Furihata: None. T. Oura: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly Japan K.K. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. T. Imaoka: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly Japan K.K. Funding Eli Lilly and Company

The Impact of Dosage Variability of Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance on Food Security in Syrian Refugees in Lebanon

Abstract Objectives While food and cash-assistance have been shown to improve food security in Syrian refugees living in Lebanon, no studies have investigated dosage variability of cash transfers on food security in this setting. We assessed the impact of short- (≤12 months) and long-term (&amp;gt;12 months) multi-purpose cash assistance (MPC) provided by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over and above food assistance, and the impact of discontinuation from MPC, on food security of Syrian refugees. Methods We used a quasi-experimental fuzzy Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD). A multi-dimensional household survey collected data in three-waves, at 6-month intervals. Households were sampled from a listing of registered Syrian refugees with WFP/UNHCR Vulnerability scores +/−10 points around the eligibility cut-off for MPC. Of 17,740 households approached, 11,457 completed the survey (65%). We assessed household food insecurity using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale and Livelihood Coping Strategies Index and diet quality using Food Consumption Score (FCS), and Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). We estimated the treatment effect of MPC using two-stage least squares regression controlling for demographic characteristics (age, sex, head of household education) and receipt of other cash assistance. Results Food insecurity experience in those receiving long-term MPC decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05), with a concomitant 7.7 percentage point decrease in reliance on emergency coping strategies (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Long-term MPC recipients had a 6 point increase in FCS (P &amp;lt; 0.01) along with an increase in diet diversity (P &amp;lt; 0.05), with higher consumption of vegetables, fish, chicken, and eggs found in both short-term and long-term MPC recipients. Conclusions There was a significant improvement in food security and diet quality among households receiving long-term MPC but not among those receiving short-term MPC (except for a small increase in diet diversity) or who were discontinued. Positive impact was observed above and beyond food assistance. Stability of assistance is therefore key in achieving impact from MPC n food security in this population. Funding Sources European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, German Federal Foreign Office, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and UK Aid, through CAMEALEON.

Elucidation of Food Security as a Determinant of Malnutrition and Stunting on Children under Five Years: A Case of Insiza District, Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe

Introduction: Malnutrition remains a childhood scourge in Sub Saharan Africa, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe and in the Insiza District, in particular. The district is rich in mineral (gold) deposits, vibrant agricultural (animal husbandry) and diverse ecosystems that has potential support self-sufficiency of its population. However, the cause to &lt;5-year-old malnutrition and stunting remain to opaque requiring elucidation.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: A mixed method approach, where both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to elicit and describe in-depth people’s experiences on determinants of malnutrition and stunting in the Insiza District among the &lt;5-year-olds. Statistical comparisons were performed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison post hoc test using Graph Pad In Stat Software. Both probability and purposive sampling were used to triangulate and corroborate findings deriving meaning to explain the factors associated with wasting/ underweight.&#x0D; Results: Children with birth weights ±2.4kG were predominant in the study sample (57%) when compared to those who were born with 2.5-3.0 kG or &gt;3.1 kG birth weights [19 fold more]. Two meals per day were taken frequently (57%) a mong adults comparable with birth weight underweight frequencies and feeding habits of infants &lt;5-year-olds (53%), showing food insecurity in Isiza District. Households that lived on &lt; US$1.00/day formed relatively the most prominent majority (73%) when compared to those who lived on US$0.87-1.67/day (23%) or US$1.87-2.50 (2%) or US$2.53-3.33 (2%). Health-related expenses (18.3%), education expenses (25%) and staple food related expenses (56.7%) took the bulk of the income without meaningful effect on child malnutrition. Fathers were over represented as household income usage decision markers in households with malnourished and stunted &lt;5-year-olds (43%) compared to mothers, the family or both parents. Poverty was present in 65% of the households which had malnourished and or stunted children. Malnourishment was from nutritional deficit and non-nutritional lack (25%) while 20% had malnutrition from other determinants other than food consumption score.&#x0D; Conclusion: More than half (57%) children who developed malnutrition were underweight at birth and born in families with who had two meals a day (57%). Malnutrition was influenced negatively by marital status, household leadership, household income, size, religion, educations status and consumption scores.

Determinants of Stunting Among Children Age 6-59 Months, Siraro District, West Arsi Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Background: High level child stunting, Height for age measurement less than negative two standard deviation is 38%. It has significant effect on schooling, productivity, physical fitness, human resources and Loss of National economy. Children ages 6-59month are the most affected groups due to child hood infections, maternal health condition, in adequate dietary intake and poor child caring practice. However, there is insufficient information on determinant factors contributing for stunting. Therefore, identifying determinants of stunting among children aged 6-59 month would help to set priorities for action and to the design of stunting reduction plan at a grass roots level. Objectives: To identify determinants of stunting among Children aged 6-59 months in Siraro District. Methods: The unmatched Facility based case control study design was conducted in randomly selected 5 health facilities of Siraro District from August 01, 2019 to October 30, 2019. From 357 study subjects which 119 are cases and 238 controls were chosen by using anthropometric measurement based on the median of WHO 2006 reference population . Anthro-plus software was used to identify the anthropometric measurements of the child and a structured questionnaire which was primarily developed in English and translated to Afan Oromo was used for data collection. The collected data were entered using Epi-deta version3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between dependent and independent variables. In bi-variable analysis co-variates with P-value of less than 0.25 was included in multivariable analysis. The final model was interpreted using AOR with 95%; CI at P-value of less than 0.05. Results: Age started supplementary feeding at 6 months with (AOR=2.54 95% CI ((1.01-6.42)), Childs mother has no Antenatal visit (AOR=2.39(95%; (1.15-4.97)), Children with poor Food Consumption Score were (AOR=3.48; 95 %;( 1.82-6.65)), Children’s with poor protein rich food Frequency Score were 3.74 times (AOR=3.74; 95%; 2.10-6.75)) were significantly associated with stunting. Conclusion; Factors like Age started supplementary feeding at less than six month, mother has no antenatal visit, poor food consumption score, poor protein rich food frequency score could be used to set priorities for action and design of stunting reduction. Therefore, zonal health department and Siraro Woreda health office should promote the importance of supplementary feeding at age of 6 months. Strengthening antenatal care service at a grass root level and promote antenatal visit of mothers. Enhance an appropriate complementary feeding practice and providing sufficient energy and protein reach food is important. Keywords: Stunting; Malnutrion; Determinants; among under five children DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/74-01 Publication date: May 31 st 2020

Afganistan'ın Doğu Bölgesinde Gıda Güvenliğini Etkileyen Faktörler

Household food insecurity has become a significant problem in recent years in Afghanistan particularly in the eastern region which is caused by numerous factors. Hence, the purpose of this paper was to examine and analyze the factors that affect food security at the household level in the eastern region of Afghanistan. Government and international organizations have jointly conducted the household survey in the Eastern Region of Afghanistan containing 9774 households over 99310 individuals in 49 districts. The result showed that the critical factors of food insecurity were caused by insecurity, poverty; unsustainable livelihoods, lack of job opportunities; low wage and income, landlessness in rural areas, and a huge influx of refugee and internally displaced people (IDP) migration. The study found that 46.9% of households were food insecure while 49.6% faced hunger in the last one month and 48% of households had poor and borderline food consumption score. Furthermore, 46.2% of households had moderate to extremely reduced copy strategy index.

The contribution of agriculture to household dietary diversity: evidence from smallholders in East Hararghe, Ethiopia

This study explores the impact of agriculture production on food consumption amongst rural households in Babille district, East Hararghe, Ethiopia. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods was used to analyse information on production, consumption and income in two consecutive seasons. Diets in the area are dominated by cereals, while consumption of high-value foods such as meat, eggs, fruits, vitamin A-rich vegetables and dark green leafy vegetables was found to be extremely limited, indicating a risk of nutrient deficiencies. Food consumption was assessed in terms of dietary diversity and frequency of consumption, expressed in terms of the household Food Consumption Score (FCS). Important differences were found between households in the same area, and between pre-harvest and post-harvest seasons. Households with adequate food consumption tended to produce greater numbers of crops, own more livestock and earn more cash income compared to households in lower food consumption categories. Nutritionally important foods such as groundnut, eggs and fruit tend to be sold via local markets, and production of a particular food type was no guarantee that household would consume that food. Households depend heavily on the market to supplement their own food production, with most household expenditure going towards the purchase of cereals. Regression analysis indicated that food consumption is positively associated with agriculture output, but also with other factors such as size of landholding and farm income. The paper concludes with recommendations for improving the dietary outcomes for farm households in developing areas such as Babille, including a reconsideration of the balance between consumption and sale of agricultural outputs, and the need for more, and better targeted, agricultural support services.

Child Dietary Diversity and Associated Factors Among Children in Somalian IDP Camps.

Malnutrition and food insecurity are major challenges in Somalia, particularly among small children living in internally displaced person (IDP) camps. Poor diet has been identified as a key driver of malnutrition in young children who depend for their diets on their household's socioeconomic standing and access to food, as well as on the family's caring and feeding practices. To assess the dietary diversity and identify the factors associated with it among children (6-23 months) in Somalian IDP camps. We used a cross-sectional survey conducted in 11 IDP camps in Somalia in June 2014 and in June 2015. A total of 3188 children aged 6 to 23 months were surveyed. Child diets were assessed using food frequency questionnaires, and dietary diversity was categorized using the minimum child dietary diversity (MDDC) indicator. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify the factors associated with the children's dietary diversity. We built and compared 2 models using alternatively the household dietary diversity score (HDDS) and the food consumption score (FCS) as food security proxies. Around 15% of children in IDP camps reached the minimum dietary diversity. Overall, our results confirm that not only are food security proxies the factors most associated with MDDC, but HDDS performs better than FCS. In addition, results identify that women as key decision-maker in the household, duration of household permanence in the settlement, women's physiological status, frequency of milk feeding to child, type of toilet, and measles vaccination are positively associated with MDDC. To improve child dietary diversity in IDP camps, food security interventions should be broadened to include female empowerment and inclusive nutrition education (encouraging male participation) programs, as well as initiatives targeting children who do not live with pregnant or lactating women and that can support families beyond the first months after their arrival.

Exploring Food Security and Household Dietary Diversity in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Food security is one of the most severe challenges facing the majority of African countries. The objective of this study was to explore household food dietary diversity and food security in a rural area in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A total of 296 household heads were randomly sampled to participate in the study. The Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) and Household Food Consumption Score (HFCS) were used to identify the consumption patterns of the households and their food security status. Meanwhile, a binary model was used to identify the variables that had an impact on household food security. Findings from the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) revealed that 61 percent of the households had lower dietary diversity and were consuming at least three food groups, which mainly include pulses, milk, and cereals. The results from the Household Food Consumption Score (HFCS), however, showed that the majority of the households had adequate levels of food consumption. The binary model revealed that age, household income, access to credit, and gender are statistically significant in influencing household food security status in the study area. It can be concluded that household dietary diversity is not guaranteed by food security, as proven by the regression model. Therefore, the government should consider the impact of low income on food security and it should intensify efforts directed at helping rural households to reduce incidences of food insecurity.

Contributions of financial, social and natural capital to food security around Kanha National Park in central India

The well-being of people living around protected areas is critical in its own right as well as for effective conservation, particularly in human-dominated landscapes. We examine the contributions of financial, social, and natural capital to household food access of 883 households around Kanha National Park (KNP) in central India over three seasons. We use regression trees and mixed effects models to identify associations between natural, social, and financial capital indicators and household food access (an indicator of well-being). We find that food access is low in the KNP landscape with over 80% of households indicating lower than acceptable food consumption scores, with a further worsening in monsoon season. Financial capital (e.g., salaried jobs and proximity to towns for all seasons) is most prominently associated with higher food consumption scores. Moreover, households supplement incomes by converting social capital (e.g., 28% of surveyed households access “food in lieu of work or credit” in monsoon) and natural capital (e.g., 14% of surveyed households sold forest products in summer) to financial capital seasonally. Financial capital dwarfs contributions of social and natural capital around KNP, in contrast to other studies, which suggest that gains from natural capital are essential for well-being of people around protected areas. Management interventions, such as kitchen gardens (borne from human capital) to supplement market-bought produce, could contribute to food security without high financial inputs. However, food insecurity in the KNP landscape primarily relates to the lack of financial capital. Food security of people around protected areas in other human-dominated landscapes is likely to be context-specific and counter to frequent assumptions particularly as livelihood strategies change with increasing economic opportunities.

Public distribution system and food security: evidence from Barpeta district, Assam

ABSTRACT This article investigates the role of the public distribution system (PDS) in ensuring food security in marginal areas of India such as Barpeta district in Assam, with special references to the char and non-char areas. The study used Dietary Diversity Score, Food Consumption Score and a self-developed Food Security Index to identify the food security status of the area. The role of PDS was investigated using propensity score matching. The study established that the PDS ensures food security in terms of all the indicators, and makes PDS beneficiaries more food-secure than non-participants even for char areas. Therefore, PDS can be an important instrument to ensure food security in a marginalised area.

Comparing measures of urban food security in Accra, Ghana

The urban population in Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to expand by nearly 800 million people in the next 30 years. How this rapid urban transition is affecting household-level urban food security, and reverberating into broader food systems, is poorly understood. To fill this gap, we use data from a 2017 survey (n = 668) of low- and middle-income residents of Accra, Ghana, to characterize and compare the predictors of household-level food security using three established metrics: the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS); the Household Food Insecurity Access Prevalence (HFIAP); and the Food Consumption Score (FCS). According to HFIAP, 70% of sampled households are food insecure, but only 2% fall below acceptable thresholds measured by FCS. Only one household reported sourcing food from modern supermarkets and fewer than 3% produce food for consumption through gardening, farming, or fishing. Instead, households rely on purchased food from traditional markets, local stalls and kiosks, and street hawkers. Results from a suite of general linear models show that household assets, education, and demographic characteristics are significantly associated with food security outcomes according to HFIAS and HFIAP. The poor correlation and weak model agreement between dietary recall such as FCS, and experience-based food security metrics, like HFIAS and HFIAP, highlight limitations of employing historically rural-centric food security measurement approaches within the urban context. Given that Sub-Saharan Africa’s future is urban, our results add empirical evidence in support of the growing chorus of scholars advocating for comprehensive urban-oriented food security research and policy agendas across Sub-Saharan Africa.