Food Insecurity Experience Scale Research Articles

Prevalence and predictors of food insecurity among university students – Results from the Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of food insecurity (FI) among university students in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional study (n = 626) between November and December 2021 at the Justus Liebig University in Giessen, Germany, using an online questionnaire. The analysis of FI was based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). We statistically validated our data using the Rasch model. Moreover, demographic, socio-economic and educational variables were collected using a questionnaire developed by the Food Insecurity among European University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic (FINESCOP) consortium. Overall, 27.5 % of the university students are food insecure. The proportion of university students experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity (FImod+sev) is 10.4 % and the proportion experiencing severe food insecurity (FIsev) 0.9 %. Results from a logistic regression showed that students have a higher chance to be food insecure if they were not born in Europe and if their parents have a secondary or lower educational level. We further found an association between age and FI. Also receiving a student loan during the pandemic and getting food assistance increased the likelihood of being food insecure. Our results show that FI is prevalent among this particularly vulnerable population group. Thus, public health, as well as policy efforts may need to become more target group-specific in accordance with the identified circumstances and specific characteristics to avoid that university students suffer from FI.

Socio-demographic, migratory and health-related determinants of food insecurity among Venezuelan migrants in Peru.

To evaluate the factors associated with food insecurity (FI) among Venezuelan migrants residing in Peru. Secondarily, to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). A cross-sectional study based on secondary data analysis of the 2022 Venezuelan Population Residing in Peru Survey (ENPOVE-2022, from the Spanish acronym) was conducted. FI was measured with the FIES, whose properties were tested using the Rasch model. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to estimate relative prevalence ratios with their corresponding 95 % confidence intervals. This survey was conducted in February and March 2022 in the eight cities most populated by Venezuelan migrants and refugees in Peru. Venezuelan migrants and refugees over the age of 18 years living in Peru. A total of 7727 participants were included. Rasch reliability was adequate (0·73). The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe FI was 36·71 %, 31·14 % and 10·48 %, respectively. Being aged 25-34 and 35-44 years, unemployed, uninsured, having no formal education or secondary, illegal status, living in a dwelling with 2-4 and more than 4 people, presenting one or more than one chronic disease, residing in Peru for 0-6 months and perceived discrimination were associated with a higher probability of moderate FI. Furthermore, having secondary education, being unemployed, uninsured, never married, illegal, residing in Tumbes, presenting one or more than one chronic disease and perceived discrimination were significantly associated with severe FI. Four out of ten Venezuelan migrants residing in Peru presented moderate to severe FI. The FIES showed adequate psychometric properties. Differences in the socio-demographic, health and migratory factors associated with FI levels were found. Inter-sectoral and multi-sectoral interventions are needed and should be focused on addressing the determinants of FI.

A 5-year review of prevalence, temporal trends and characteristics of individuals experiencing moderate and severe food insecurity in 34 high income countries

BackgroundDue to the relatively low numbers of households in high income countries experiencing food insecurity most studies conflate the levels of severity, which masks between- and within-country differences. This study aims to describe the characteristics of individuals living in high income countries who were moderately or severely food insecure and investigates temporal trends in prevalence. It assesses these characteristics in comparison to those who were food secure.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of data collected by the FAO Voices of the Hungry between 2014–2018. The data were collected during the annual Gallup World Polls of nationally representative samples using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Data from 34 highly developed, wealthy countries were analysed. The age, gender, income, education, area of residence and household structure of individuals experiencing moderate/severe food insecurity (FI), and severe FI, were compared using ANOVA, Welch’s F, Pearson’s Chi-square, and Linear-by-Linear Association, dependent on the variable of interest. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to group countries according to their prevalence of moderate/severe FI, and severe FI.ResultsOverall, 6.5% of the weighted sample were moderately/severely food insecure (M-SFI), while 1.6% were severely food insecure. M-SFI individuals were present in all 34 countries, in all years and across all education levels and income quintiles. The proportion of individuals experiencing moderate/severe FI varied between years and countries. Fifteen countries showed a significant downward temporal trend in prevalence of moderate/severe FI (p < 0.001), while three countries demonstrated an increasing temporal trend driven by increasing prevalence in those aged 65 years or less (p < 0.001). Comparing individuals experiencing moderate versus severe FI showed over-representation of males, single adult households and lower household income in the severe FI group.ConclusionsIndividuals across all income, education and age categories living in high income countries are experiencing moderate/severe food insecurity, but with higher prevalence in those experiencing more disadvantage. Over the study period some countries experienced escalating while others demonstrated decreasing moderate/severe FI trends. This comparison of countries with similar economic and human development indices highlights an opportunity to investigate subtle variations in social, economic and education policy that could have profound impacts on food insecurity.

Prevalence and determinants of food insecurity among pregnant women in Nigeria: A multilevel mixed effects analysis.

Food insecurity (FI) remains a key priority for sustainable development. Despite the well-known consequences of food insecurity on health and well-being, evidence regarding the burden and determinants of FI among pregnant women in Nigeria is limited. Framed by the social-ecological model, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of FI, and its associations with individual-/household-level and contextual-level factors among pregnant women in Nigeria. A cross-sectional study based on the Nigerian Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (2021 Nigerian MICS6) was conducted among a sample of 3519 pregnant women aged 15-49 years. Several weighted multilevel multinomial logistic regression models were fitted to assess the association between individual-/household-s level and community-level characteristics with FI. We estimated and reported both fixed effects and random effects to measure the associations and variations, respectively. Results: The prevalence of FI among pregnant women in Nigeria was high, with nearly 75% of the participants reporting moderate to severe FI in the past 12 months (95% CI = 71.3%-75.8%) in 2021. There were also significant differences in all the experiences of food insecurity due to lack of money or resources, as measured by the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), except for feeling hungry but not eating because of lack of money or resources (p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that higher parity, households with 5 or more members, household wealth index, urban residence, and community-level poverty were significantly associated with FI. Our study demonstrates a significantly high prevalence of FI among pregnant women in Nigeria in 2021. Given the negative consequences of FI on maternal and child health, implementing interventions to address FI during pregnancy remains critical to improving pregnancy outcomes.

How Much Does the Food Insecurity Experience Scale Overlap with Poor Food Consumption and Monetary Poverty? Evidence from West Africa

Abstract The Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), which combines three food-access dimensions into a single indicator, is rapidly being incorporated into national statistical systems. However, there is no prediction about how one of the incorporated dimensions—subjective experiences associated with food insecurity—overlaps with poor food consumption. Using data from West Africa, this study illustrates that in 4 out of 10 countries, there is a similar prevalence of food insecurity according to the FIES among segments of the population that are likely undernourished and segments that are likely not undernourished. And in 5 out of 10 countries, there is a relatively large prevalence of food insecurity according to the FIES in the segments of the population that are least likely to be undernourished. Combined, the results offer guidance to policymakers when choosing food-access indicators and illustrate the importance of using the FIES along with other food-access measures.

Determinants of the food insecurity at household level in Pakistan: A multilevel model approach.

Food insecurity is a major concern for the developing world and around 37% of the population of Pakistan is food insecure. This paper utilizes the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) to assess the population prevalence of food insecurity and to identify their risk factors and determinants at the household level in Pakistan. This study employs a multi-level random coefficient model, using the Pakistan Panel Household Survey (PPHS-2010) dataset; representative data from 4,130 households. Factors like; income of the household, gender, education, household size, land ownership, and shocks of food insecurity allow the incidence of idiosyncratic shocks (injuries and/or casualties) at the community level, which affects the food insecurity situation of the community, rather differently were included. The study confirms a statistically significant inverse relationship between household income, household size, and household head education with food insecurity and a positive association of shocks and inflation with food insecurity at the household level. Specifically, with increasing per capita income of the household, food insecurity declines (coefficient: -0.083, statistically significant at 1%) and food insecurity increases with shocks (coefficient: 0.058, statistically significant at 1% significance level). The study also reveals a significant heterogeneity at a one percent significance level in the determinants of food insecurity at the district, community, and household levels. The income of the household, household head gender and education level, household size, household assets, shocks, injuries, and inflationary pressure are important determinants of food insecurity in Pakistan.

Association between household food security and infant feeding practices among women with children aged 6-23 months in rural Zambia.

Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices directly affect the nutritional status of children under two years of age, ultimately impacting their survival. However, ensuring that newborns and young children are fed according to the WHO-recommended practice has proven to be a challenge in many developing nations, especially in households that face food insecurity. This study aims to determine the association between IYCF practices and household food security's availability and access dimensions in rural Zambia. The study uses data from a cross-sectional survey of 2,127 mother-child pairs drawn from 28 rural districts in 8 out of the 10 Zambian provinces. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association of minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency, and minimum acceptable diet with measures of household food security such as household dietary diversity score, and food insecurity experience scale, while controlling for confounding variables. The results show that children living in households classified as being food-secure based on the household dietary diversity score were significantly more likely to achieve appropriate feeding practices on all three IYCF measures, even after controlling for confounding factors. Notably, poor IYCF practices exist even in food-secure households, as most children in these households still need to receive a minimum acceptable diet. Although living in a household classified as food secure based on the access dimensions of household dietary diversity score and food insecurity experience scale is significantly associated with improvements in all three IYCF indicators even after controlling for confounding factors, the relationship does not hold for the availability measure of months of adequate household food provisioning. These findings highlight the need for targeting specific dimensions of household food security to solve child malnutrition, especially in rural areas. The focus should go beyond basic food availability, ensuring adequate diversity, and enhancing knowledge of appropriate feeding practices.

Determinants of Individual Worries on Food Insecurity in Afghanistan

According to the United Nations (UN), more than 30 per cent of the world’s population experienced food insecurity moderately or severely in 2020 and Sustainable Development Goal 2 clearly claims to end hunger by 2030. Afghanistan within those regions with severe food insecurity has become prominent as both environmental deterioration due to climate change and ongoing conflict affects this situation twice as much. Using Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES-2018) data that was provided by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), this paper provides evidence on the determinants of individual worry on having enough food with a sample of 998 individuals through a probit model. Findings reveal that having a college degree significantly reduces the probability of being worried not to have enough food. Further, living in a rural area increases this probability, while being in a richer income quintile and having one more adults in the household decreases it. Empirical evidence of this research suggests a few policy implications. Education should be generalised in the society; and production techniques in the rural areas should be improved to increase the level of production and to save the environment. These efforts might increase the wage level that would help to increase household income to alleviate food insecurity.

Food Insecurity and Perceived Effects of COVID-19 on Livelihoods in Rural Sri Lanka.

Little is known about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected food security and livelihoods in Sri Lanka. This article aims to assess food insecurity, perceived effects of COVID-19, and coping mechanisms among agriculture-based households in rural Sri Lanka. We used 2 rounds of panel data from phone surveys (n = 1057 households) conducted in 5 districts. Food insecurity (30-day recall), perceived impacts of COVID-19 (6-month recall), and coping mechanisms (6-month recall) were assessed using a household questionnaire. To assess food insecurity, we used the 8-item Food Insecurity Experience Scale. We tested for differences between T1 (baseline: December 2020-February 2021) and T2 (follow-up: July 2021-September 2021) and explored the association between food insecurity and the perceived effect of COVID-19 on income using a logistic regression model. Food insecurity was highly prevalent (T1: 75%, T2: 80%) but varied across districts. Most respondents were affected by COVID-19 and/or COVID-19-associated mitigation measures (T1: 84%, T2: 89%). Among affected households, commonly reported impacts included those on income (T1: 77%, T2: 76%), food costs (T1: 84%, T2: 83%), and travel (∼90% in both rounds). Agricultural activities were also adversely affected (T1: 64%, T2: 69%). About half of COVID-19-affected households reported selling livestock or assets to meet basic needs. Households whose income was impacted by COVID-19 were more likely to be food insecure (adjusted odds ratio: 2.56, P < .001). Households in rural Sri Lanka experienced food insecurity and livelihood disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional surveys are needed to assess recovery post-COVID-19 and to understand if programs that support livelihoods have been protective.

Risk Factors for Food Insecurity among Older Adults in India: Study Based on LASI, 2017-2018.

Food security is linked to the nutritional status and well-being of older adults. India is a rapidly aging nation that ranks highly on the 2022 Global Hunger Index. This paper examines the prevalence and risk factors of food insecurity in India's older population. We used data from the 2017-2018 Longitudinal Aging Study in India. The sample size was 31,532 adults aged 60 years and above. Food insecurity was measured using a four-item version of the Food Insecurity Experience scale. Multivariable logistic regressions using individual-level weights were implemented to assess the risk factors of food insecurity. The prevalence of food insecurity was 10.5% in the weighted sample. Sociodemographic factors were important in explaining food insecurity. Older adults who were male, younger, lowly educated, socially disadvantaged, in rural areas, and outside the Northern region were most vulnerable to food insecurity, controlling for various confounders. Additionally, low economic status, no occupational pension, currently working, social isolation, physical impairment, functional disabilities, poor self-rated health, and arthritis were associated with an increased risk of food insecurity. More active food assistance programs catering to older adults and a better provision of economic and social security are warranted to establish a food-secure environment for rapidly aging India.

Evidences of Widespread Hunger in Gbeo Community, North East Region, Ghana; the Determinants of Malnutrition and Susceptibility to Extreme Hunger

Background: The global community aspires towards zero hunger and minimized prevalence of various metrics of malnutrition by 2030 and beyond. Despite mainstream routine nutrition/food surveillance interventions carried out by provincial, national and civil society bodies, the markers of global hunger are rife. This study sought to investigate with the aid of household food insecurity experience scale (HFIES) and nutrition indices, the evidence of hunger, child malnutrition and other forms of extreme household deprivation in Gbeo; a rural hard-to-reach community in the Mamprugu East Municipality, North East Region. Methods: This study was a case analysis of Gbeo community using cross-sectional modalities. Mother – child dyads from 235 systematically selected households were recruited for one-on-one interviews including anthropometric/dietary assessments. Data were obtained on household hunger (using HFIES as proxy), child (6 – 59 months) malnutrition and their potential predictors (SE characteristics, IYCF, WASH, etc.). Child anthropometric growth indices were computed in accordance with WHO (2017) revised standard protocols. Findings: Out of 235 children 34.4% were stunted, 18.8% underweight and 37.9% wasted; these are elevated above Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) data for Northern Region, Ghana as a whole and WHO/UNICEF/World Bank (2021) latest global estimates. Four (1.8%) children had all growth failure and in 5.6% of cases, underweight co-occur with stunting and wasting. The proportion of HHs in the 3rd tertile [T3], 2nd tertile [T2] and 1st tertile [T1] of food insecurity were 33%, 29% and 38% respectively. Multiple logistic regression models showed that mean HFIES scores were higher among households that; has a female food-based decision maker [t (degrees of freedom=1, n=235) = 1.93, significance level p =.000], have not received any form of remittances within the past 12 months [t (1, 235) = 2.65, p = .016], source their food stuffs from predominantly purchasing [t (1, 235) = 2.65, p = .009] and has a caregiver or household head that is an alcoholic [t (1, 235) = 4.01, p = .000]. Conclusion: Food insecurity predicts acute child malnutrition. Social protection and economic empowerment interventions should be integrated with nutrition-based initiatives for holistic household improvement.

Burnout, COVID-19, social support and food insecurity in health workers

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of risk for Burnout Syndrome among health professionals in areas of care for patients with COVID-19, as well as to verify possible associations of the syndrome with the perceived social support and food insecurity of these workers. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study, with workers from intensive care units (ICU) and wards caring for patients with COVID-19, in a university hospital. Data collection was carried out from September to October 2021, using the instruments: Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS), Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale and Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). Statistical analysis used Poisson regression models and multiple Poisson regression, considering statistically significant differences and associations if p&lt;0.05. Results: A total of 75 workers from three wards (48%) and from one ICU (52%) participated in the survey, and the professionals are mostly female (89.3%), trained as health care technicians (66.7%). Regarding the risk of Burnout Syndrome, 26.7% of the workers had scores for at least one dimension of the scale, mainly referring to high emotional exhaustion (20%). There was a positive association between the risk of developing Burnout Syndrome and food insecurity (PR = 1.11; 95%CI = (1.04; 1.18); p = 0.002). The number of children was significantly negatively associated with the incidence of Burnout Syndrome (PR = 0.90; 95%CI = (0.83; 0.97); p = 0.008). Conclusion: Positive associations were observed with a higher risk of BS in professionals with food insecurity and also that the number of children acts as a protective factor against the risk of Burnout Syndrome, which may be directly related to perceived social support.

Burnout, COVID-19, social support and food insecurity in health workers

Abstract Objective To evaluate the prevalence of risk for Burnout Syndrome among health professionals in areas of care for patients with COVID-19, as well as to verify possible associations of the syndrome with the perceived social support and food insecurity of these workers. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study, with workers from intensive care units (ICU) and wards caring for patients with COVID-19, in a university hospital. Data collection was carried out from September to October 2021, using the instruments: Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS), Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale and Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). Statistical analysis used Poisson regression models and multiple Poisson regression, considering statistically significant differences and associations if p&lt;0.05. Results: A total of 75 workers from three wards (48%) and from one ICU (52%) participated in the survey, and the professionals are mostly female (89.3%), trained as health care technicians (66.7%). Regarding the risk of Burnout Syndrome, 26.7% of the workers had scores for at least one dimension of the scale, mainly referring to high emotional exhaustion (20%). There was a positive association between the risk of developing Burnout Syndrome and food insecurity (PR = 1.11; 95%CI = (1.04; 1.18); p = 0.002). The number of children was significantly negatively associated with the incidence of Burnout Syndrome (PR = 0.90; 95%CI = (0.83; 0.97); p = 0.008). Conclusion: Positive associations were observed with a higher risk of BS in professionals with food insecurity and also that the number of children acts as a protective factor against the risk of Burnout Syndrome, which may be directly related to perceived social support.

Household income and food security during the COVID-19 pandemic in the urban slums of Punjab, Pakistan

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 crisis has not only increased socio-economic inequalities globally but it also severely affected people's everyday lives. This study explores the impacts of COVID-19 on household income, food security, and food consumption patterns in the urban slums of Punjab, Pakistan. Using a multistage random sampling method, cross-sectional data was collected from 257 households through face-to-face interviews. Respondents were chosen randomly applying the random walk method. The data were analysed using Probit regression models. The household food security situation was estimated using the food insecurity experience scale (HFIES) developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Results show that household income and food security situations during the COVID-19 pandemic were significantly affected by education level, household size, daily-wage earnings, salaried employment, and household income slot-I. Household participation in social safety programs appears to help mitigate income shocks and decrease food insecurity. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, 73.92% and 54.86% of the surveyed households faced income shocks and worsened food security, respectively. The consumption of meat, poultry products, and seafood decreased by 21.01%, 17.50%, and 14.39%, respectively, during the pandemic, in comparison to the pre-pandemic period. The study recommends that authorities should consider continuously focusing on supporting existing national social safety programs and designing new ones by providing responsive packages during such adversities. Further, structuring robust financial institutions to aid business recovery and to ensure the availability of food to marginalised communities, particularly in urban slums, could sustain the masses.

Offline and hungry: the effect of internet use on the food insecurity of Indonesian agricultural households

Food insecurity is essential since its prevalence may hinder an individual or an economy from developing. The issue still lacks attention in Indonesia, as reflected in the lagging efforts to reduce food insecurity. Meanwhile, several previous studies have found that increasing internet access may decrease food insecurity. Using a sample of 140,892 agricultural households from the National Socioeconomic Survey data, this study uses quantitative measures to evaluate the effects of internet use on the food insecurity of Indonesian agricultural households. The present study uses raw and Rasch scores to measure food insecurity, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale question items. To estimate the effect of internet use on food insecurity, this study uses the two-stage least square estimation with topography as the instrumental variable, which is important due to the existence of an endogeneity problem. The present research also evaluates the possible mediating effect between internet use and food insecurity through households’ per capita income. Findings reveal that internet use negatively affects agricultural households’ food insecurity. This study also demonstrates that internet use can lower food insecurity in agricultural households through the mediating effects of income. From these results, policy implications are as follows; prioritization of internet infrastructure in remote areas, dissemination of information to enhance the production of agricultural households, and efforts to increase internet use among agricultural households.

Nutritional, health and socio-demographic determinants of anaemia in adolescent girls in Kumbungu District, Ghana

BackgroundAnaemia is a serious health problem among adolescent girls in Ghana. The aims of this study were to measure the prevalence and identify the nutritional, health, and socio-demographic determinants of anaemia in adolescent girls in Kumbungu District, Northern Region, Ghana.MethodAn analytical cross-sectional study involving 370 adolescent girls residing in Kumbungu district, selected using multi-stage sampling procedure, was conducted. A semi-structured questionnaire, 24-hr dietary recall, food frequency questionnaire, Food Insecurity Experience scale, and anthropometry were used to gather information on socio-demographic characteristics, nutrition knowledge, dietary diversity score, food consumption score, food consumption frequency, household food insecurity, and waist and hip circumferences. Haemoglobin was measured using a portable HemoCue hg 301 + Analyzer. Anaemia in the adolescent girls was defined as haemoglobin concentration less than 12 g/dl. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis were used to identify the determinants of anaemia.ResultsThe mean (± SD) age was 13.95 (± 2.94) years, and the majority of the girls were in school (79.5%) and lived in a rural area (81.1%). The mean (± SD) haemoglobin was 11.27 (± 1.19) g/dl, and 74.6% of the respondents had anaemia, with 1.6% having severe anaemia. The health determinant of anaemia was frequency of feeling nervous in the past 6 months [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 2.12: 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.17–3.89; p: 0.014], and the socio-demographic determinants were residential community status (AOR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.24–0.75; p: 0.003), and fathers’ educational qualification (AOR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.17–5.65, p: 0.019). No nutritional determinants of anaemia were identified for this study population.ConclusionThe prevalence of anaemia was very high and the frequency of feeling nervous in the past 6 months, residential community status, and fathers’ educational qualification were associated with anaemia among adolescent girls in Kumbungu district, Ghana. The prevalence of anaemia measured highlights the need for intensification of anaemia prevention and management interventions in the district.

Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on food insecurity in Indonesian households

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected access to adequate and nutritious food, resulting in hunger, malnutrition and increased food insecurity. The purpose of this study was to identify the households in Indonesia that were most likely to experience the pandemic's effects.Design/methodology/approachUsing raw data from nationwide Indonesian household socioeconomic and expenditure surveys (SUSENAS 2020 and SUSENAS 2021), food insecurity was measured using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). A multinomial logistic regression model was used to analyze the data.FindingsThe prevalence of mild, moderate and severe food insecurity increased from 20.61% to 21.67% and from 1.28% to 1.37%, respectively, between 2020 (the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic) and 2021 (the period during which the infection rapidly spread nationwide). The estimation results of the multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that urban households, which may have had more difficulties with income generation and access to food due to behavioral constraints, were more likely to be affected by the pandemic. Additionally, economically vulnerable poor households, households with low levels of education or unemployed heads were more likely to be affected by the pandemic.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first study to access the impact of economic downturn and social restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic on household food insecurity in Indonesia, using the nationwide household survey data.

Food Insecurity and Mental Health among Venezuelan Migrants and Refugees Living in Peru: Secondary Data Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Survey.

The objective of this study was to analyze the association between food insecurity and mental health in Venezuelan migrants and refugees residing in Peru using data from the Survey Directed at the Venezuelan Population Residing in the Country (ENPOVE) conducted in 2022. The analysis included 7739 Venezuelan adults. The presence of mental health problems was self-reported, and household food insecurity was measured using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. The study found that 4 out of 10 participants lived in households with moderate to severe food insecurity, and around 10% reported experiencing some mental health problem in the last month. The study identified a positive association between living in households with moderate to severe food insecurity and having some mental health problem compared to living in households without food insecurity. The findings suggest that food insecurity is a common problem among the Venezuelan migrant population residing in Peru, and measures are required to address this problem and mitigate its consequences on mental health and other health problems. The study highlights the need for international organizations to provide assistance and support to these populations and ensure adequate and sustainable follow-up of food insecurity at the national level. It is also necessary to implement early detection tests for mental health problems in the migrant population, especially in individuals exposed to food insecurity. This study provides relevant evidence for addressing public health in the Venezuelan migrant population residing in Peru.

Ecological risk and protective factors for food insufficiency in Los Angeles County during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic increased food insufficiency: a severe form of food insecurity. Drawing on an ecological framework, we aimed to understand factors that contributed to changes in food insufficiency from April to December 2020, in a large urban population hard hit by the pandemic. We conducted internet surveys every 2 weeks in April-December 2020, including a subset of items from the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Longitudinal analysis identified predictors of food insufficiency, using fixed effects models. Los Angeles County, which has a diverse population of 10 million residents. A representative sample of 1535 adults in Los Angeles County who are participants in the Understanding Coronavirus in America tracking survey. Rates of food insufficiency spiked in the first year of the pandemic, especially among participants living in poverty, in middle adulthood and with larger households. Government food assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was significantly associated with reduced food insufficiency over time, while other forms of assistance such as help from family and friends or stimulus funds were not. The findings highlight that during a crisis, there is value in rapidly monitoring food insufficiency and investing in government food benefits.

Household food insecurity, low maternal social support and maternal common mental disorders in East Mamprusi Municipality, Ghana

IntroductionBoth household food insecurity and maternal common mental disorders are public health concerns in Ghana but studies on them, and their interrelatedness are scarce. Social support is an independent determinant of mental health but can also moderate the link between risk factors and mental illness. Identifying the risk factors of mental illness may provide opportunities for intervention and help reduce disease burden and impact. This study examined the association between household food insecurity or low maternal social support and maternal common mental disorders in East Mamprusi Municipality, Ghana.MethodsThis was a community-based, cross-sectional study involving 400 mothers with children 6–23 months selected using multi-stage sampling. Summary scores for household food insecurity, maternal social support, and maternal common mental disorders were measured using Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), Medical Outcome Study Social Support Scale (SSS), and WHO Self-Reporting Questionnaire 20 items (SRQ-20) respectively in personal interviews. Poisson regression models were fitted to determine the association of household food insecurity or low maternal social support with maternal common mental disorders, controlling for selected socio-demographic variables.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 26.7 (± 6.68) years, and the mean FIES, SSS, and SRQ-20 scores were 5.62 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 5.29–5.96] out of 8, 43.12 (95% CI: 41.34–44.90) out of 100, and 7.91 (95% CI: 7.38–8.45) out of 19 respectively. About two-thirds of the households (71.9%), and 72.7% and 49.5% of the women had food insecurity, low social support and probable common mental disorder respectively. In the adjusted analyses, a unit increase in FIES score was associated to a 4% increment in the predicted SRQ-20 score [Incident Risk Ratio (IRR) 1.04; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.02, 1.06; p = 0.001], and the predicted SRQ-20 score of the women belonging to low social support category was 38% higher compared to that of women of high social support category (IRR 1.38; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.66; p = 0.001).ConclusionThe prevalence of household food insecurity and common mental disorders among mothers are high, and both household food insecurity and low social support are significantly related to common mental disorders in women. Interventions to reduce both household food insecurity, and common mental disorders in women are warranted, and should include social support for women.