Levels Of Food Insecurity Research Articles

Examining the disparities: A cross-sectional study of socio-economic factors and food insecurity in Togo.

Despite many interventions, Togo continues to have one of the highest rates of poverty and food insecurity in the sub-Saharan African region. Currently there is no systematic analysis of the factors associated with household food-insecurity in this country. This study aimed at exploring the factors associated with food insecurity in Togo. This was a cross-sectional study that used data from five waves (2014 to 2018) of the Gallup World Poll (GWP) for Togo. Sample size included 4754 participants, aged 15 and above. Food insecurity was measured using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) questionnaire as per the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) guidelines. Our outcome variable was food insecurity, categorized as: 1) food secure (FIES score = 0-3), moderately food insecure (FIES score = 4-6), and severely food insecure (FIES score = 7-8). We did descriptive and multinomial regressions to analyze data using Stata version 16. Between 2014 and 2018, the percentage of severe food insecurity fluctuated-42.81% in 2014, 37.79% in 2015, 38.98% in 2016, 45.41% in 2017, and 33.84% in 2018. Whereas that of moderate food insecurity increased from 23.55% to 27.33% except for 2016 and 2017 where the percentage increased to 32.33% and 27.46% respectively. In the logistic regression analysis, we found that respondents with lower than elementary education had a higher relative risk ratio of moderate (RRR = 1.45,95%CI = 1.22-1.72) and severe (RRR = 1.72, 95%CI = 1.46-2.02) food insecurity compared to those with secondary and higher education. Rural respondents had higher RRR of severe food insecurity (RRR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.16-1.62) compared to those who lived in the urban areas. Compared with those in the richest wealth quintile, respondents in the poorest wealth quintile had 2.21 times higher RRR of moderate (RRR = 2.21, 95%CI = 1.69-2.87) and 3.58 times higher RRR of severe (RRR = 3.58, 95%CI = 2.81-4.55) food insecurity. About two-thirds of participants experienced some level of food insecurity in 2018. Lower levels of education, rural residency and poorer household wealth index areas were associated with a higher risk of food insecurity. National food security programs should focus on promoting education and improving socioeconomic condition of people especially in rural areas.

Food insecurity increases risk of depression and anxiety among women in Senegal living with diabetes and/or hypertension.

Food insecurity affects close to half the population of Senegal, West Africa, a country simultaneously affected by the ongoing global diabetes pandemic. Diabetes and food insecurity are associated with adverse mental health, yet research exploring the relationship between chronic physical illness, food insecurity, and mental illness in Senegal is currently lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between food insecurity and depression and anxiety, separately, in Senegalese women living with diabetes and hypertension. Food insecurity was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Occurrence of depression and anxiety symptoms was assessed using the Modified Hopkins Symptoms Checklist Survey (HSCL-25). A sensitivity analysis examining the relationship between food insecurity and depression and anxiety was performed by comparing two previously validated cutoff values (1.75 and 2.25) on the HSCL-25. Most participants (83%) had some level of food insecurity. More than 80% of the sample were depressed or anxious using 1.75 as the cutoff, while 42 and 60% were depressed or anxious, respectively, using 2.25 as the cutoff. Food insecurity increased relative risk for depression (RRR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.05-1.31, 1.75 as cutoff; RRR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.99-1.14, 2.25 as cutoff) and anxiety (RRR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05-1.31, 1.75 as cutoff; RRR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.04-1.19, 2.25 as cutoff). These findings demonstrate that among populations suffering from diabetes and hypertension, food insecurity is a modifiable risk factor for depression and anxiety and a potential intervention target in this setting.

Qualitative Study of Barriers and Facilitators to Care Among Children in Immigrant Families.

Children in immigrant families comprise ∼25% of US children and live in families with high levels of poverty and food insecurity. Studies suggest a decline in public benefit enrollment among children in immigrant families. We aimed to explore perspectives on barriers and facilitators in accessing care among immigrant caregivers of hospitalized children. With a general qualitative descriptive design, we developed a semistructured interview guide using an iterative process informed by literature and content expertise. Using purposive sampling, we recruited immigrant caregivers of hospitalized children in March 2020 and conducted interviews in English or Spanish. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and translated to English. Three authors coded transcripts using Dedoose and identified themes via thematic analysis. Analysis of 12 caregiver interviews revealed barriers and facilitators in accessing healthcare and public benefit use. Barriers included healthcare system barriers, immigration-related fear, and racism and discrimination. Within healthcare system barriers, subthemes included language barriers, cost, complexity of resource application, and lack of guidance on available benefits. Within immigration-related fear, subthemes included fear of familial separation, fear of deportation, fear that benefit use affects immigration status, and provider distrust. Healthcare system facilitators of resource use included recruiting diverse workforces, utilizing language interpretation, guidance on benefit enrollment, legal services, and mental health services. Participants also recommended hospital partnership with trusted information sources, including media stations and low-cost clinics. Immigrant caregivers of hospitalized children identified barriers and facilitators in access to care. Further research is needed to assess the efficacy of caregiver-suggested interventions.

Can women’s empowerment in livestock farming improve household food security? Empirical evidence from rural households in Malawi

BackgroundOver the years the Government of Malawi has launched several initiatives to improve food security in the country. Despite these efforts there have been limited improvements in food security, raising the spectre of persistently elevated levels of food insecurity. Efforts to reduce food insecurity may involve women who play a central role in the production, processing, preparation and control of vital livestock products for food security. However, women’s ability to achieve food security is limited by their lack of access to productive resources and limited ability to participate in decision-making. The main objective of this study is to estimate the impact of women’s empowerment in household livestock production and marketing decisions on household food security.MethodsThis study uses data from a proportionate random sample of 400 households in two major livestock producing Extension Planning Areas in the Nsanje district to estimate the relationship between women’s empowerment and household food security in rural households in Malawi.ResultsTobit regression results show that the empowerment of women in the livestock sector, especially in decisions pertaining to agricultural production, nutrition, and income control, improves household food security. In addition, factors such as household income, household size, and the main occupation of the household head play a significant role in ensuring household food security.ConclusionThe results suggest that nutrition-sensitive programmes should target women’s agency in livestock production and nutrition decisions for improved food security among rural households in Malawi. As part of their food security strategy, Government of Malawi could develop programs to sensitize households on the importance of enhancing women’s agency in agriculture and nutrition decision-making, while also providing targeted income-support for women.

“I knew I needed to live what I realised was faith in me”: Enacting and transcending religious identity through food aid volunteering

AbstractVolunteering can enhance both help‐recipients’ and volunteers’ lives, so it is important to explore what motivates people to begin and continue volunteering. For instance, research underpinned by the social identity approach recognises that group‐related processes are consequential. Recent quantitative research within this tradition highlighted the potential importance of volunteering as a means of religious identity enactment, but no work has yet explored this idea qualitatively, which means that the richness and complexity of identity enactment as a motive for volunteering remains unexamined. Addressing this, we conducted interviews with volunteers (N = 26) within English religiously motivated voluntary organisations that are responding to an important real‐world issue: growing levels of food insecurity. Theoretically guided reflexive thematic analysis developed four themes showing that volunteering can facilitate enactment of different identities (i.e., religious, volunteer and human), thus illustrating the nuanced and complex nature of identity enactment through volunteering. Theoretical and practical implications are explored.

Survey Recruitment Bias and Estimates of College Student Food Insecurity

ABSTRACT Having valid measures of college student FI is essential for justifying basic-needs services for students. But college student food insecurity (FI) rates vary significantly across institutions, perhaps partially due to differences in non-response bias resulting from participant recruitment strategies. We tested for effects of recruitment method on measured levels of college student FI at three time points (2020, 2021, 2022). Survey response rates varied dramatically across recruitment modalities. Higher FI rates were estimated in low-response-rate survey deliveries. Emailed surveys appear to inflate estimates of student FI. Efforts to increase response rates likely produce more valid estimates of college student 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.

Abstract 13184: Relationships Between Food Insecurity and Dietary Quality in Persons With Cardiovascular Disease in NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), 2009-2020

Background: Most guidelines recommend a nutrient-rich, heart-healthy diet for management of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Following dietary guidelines may be challenging for individuals experiencing food insecurity, but there is limited knowledge on how food insecurity relates to diet quality in persons with CVD. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that for persons with CVD (hypertension, heart disease, angina, MI, heart failure, or stroke), higher levels of food insecurity would be associated with lower levels of dietary quality. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of 5 cycles of data (2009-2020) from the nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Participants aged > 19 with self-reported CVD were included. Food insecurity was measured using the 10-item Food Security Scale. Dietary intake was measured using 24-hour dietary recall from which individual nutrients were derived. Key nutrients examined as indicators of diet quality included sodium, potassium, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, fiber, and total sugars. Relationships between food insecurity and diet quality were quantified using multivariable linear regression models, incorporating NHANES sample weights and controlling for common sociodemographic confounders. Results: The sample consisted of 17,102 persons (weighted study N = 311,708,767). Half were female (55.48%); most were non-Hispanic White (68.74%) and in middle (45-64 years, 44.82%) or late adulthood (≥65 years, 32.29%). Nearly a quarter (23.9%) were food insecure. With the exception of sodium intake (sodium, mg, β=-156, p=0.02), higher levels of food insecurity were significantly associated with poorer diet quality (potassium, mg: β=-157, p<0.004; polyunsaturated fats, gm: β=-1.81, p<0.003; monounsaturated fats, gm: β= -2.19, p=0.003, fiber, mg: β= -1.08, p=0.003, total sugars, gm: β=13.15; p<0.010). Conclusions: In persons with CVD, higher levels of food insecurity were significantly associated with lower diet quality in key nutrients essential for a heart-healthy diet. This study underscores the importance of considering social determinants of health to support patient and family success in following heart-healthy guidelines.

Nutrition transition, double burden of malnutrition, and urbanization patterns in secondary cities of Bangladesh, Kenya and Rwanda

BackgroundBy 2050, approximately 68% of the global population will live in cities, but nutrition data on urban populations of low- and middle-income countries are scarce. Fast growing secondary cities, combining characteristics and hurdles of urban and rural settings, are hotspots for the double burden of malnutrition. The Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE) project focuses on 6 secondary cities in Bangladesh, Kenya and Rwanda, to improve health and nutrition, and reduce poverty. To assess the baseline situation and guide future interventions, food insecurity, dietary diversity, nutrition status, and food production and purchasing patterns were explored.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study design, data were collected from urban and peri-urban households of Dinajpur and Rangpur in Bangladesh, Bungoma and Busia in Kenya, and Rubavu and Rusizi in Rwanda. Approximately 1200 households, in neighborhoods prone to malnutrition, were involved from April to June 2021. We assessed Household Food Insecurity Access Score (HFIAS), both current and before COVID-19, Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W), anthropometric measurements, household and socioeconomic information, and questions related to food production and consumer behavior. Further we collected secondary data on low birthweight and anemia during pregnancy.ResultsAll cities experienced a substantial increase in food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stunting rates in children under 5 years varied among the cities and ranged from 7.8% in Busia to 46.6% in Rubavu, while half of adult women were overweight (between 42.1% in Rusizi and 55.8% in Bungoma). Furthermore, many women did not consume an adequately diverse diet (MDD-W < 5 for 29.3% in Bangladesh, 47.5% in Kenya, and 67.0% in Rwanda), however many of the urban and peri-urban households were engaged in farming (58–78%).ConclusionsThe double burden of malnutrition is high in secondary cities and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated levels of food insecurity. Demand for, and access to, an affordable healthy diverse diet that comprises local, nutritious, and agroecologically produced foods present a pathway for overcoming the complex challenges of malnutrition.

The Importance of Screening for Food Insecurity in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia: An Ancillary Study to the Severe Acute Malnutrition Feasibility Trial in Nigeria

Introduction Household food insecurity-lacking access to, or having uncertain access to, food that meets a person's dietary needs-is a longstanding problem in Nigeria that has continued to worsen in recent years. One of its most severe consequences is malnutrition, particularly affecting children due to their high nutrient demand coupled with higher energy expenditure. Even in high-income countries, such as the United States, many children with sickle cell anemia have lower weights and heights than their healthy peers. Due to their elevated nutrient requirements, children with sickle cell anemia may be at an even greater risk of malnutrition when faced with limited access to adequate food. The relationship between childhood food insecurity and malnutrition has been previously studied in younger children in Nigeria, but rarely in older children, and to our knowledge, never in older children with sickle cell anemia. We tested the hypothesis that there is a direct association between increased food insecurity and more severe malnutrition (lower body mass index [BMI] z-score) in older children with sickle cell anemia in Nigeria. Methods This was a planned analysis of the data of children enrolled in a feasibility trial for managing severe acute malnutrition in older children with sickle cell anemia in Nigeria (SAMS trial; #NCT03634488). In this study, children 5-12 years old with sickle cell anemia and uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition (BMI z-score &amp;lt;-3.0) were randomly assigned to receive either supplemental ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) only or RUTF combined with moderate fixed-dose hydroxyurea therapy for 12 weeks. Baseline anthropometric data were obtained for each participant. Upon enrollment in the trial, the participants' caregivers completed the US Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM). Using the eight questions in the childhood portion of this standardized survey, we categorized the participants into three food security statuses: food security (0-1), low food security (2-4), and very low food security (5-8). Childhood food security scores were also measured as a continuous variable on a scale of 0-8, with higher scores indicating greater food insecurity. We constructed a linear regression model to estimate the association between childhood food insecurity and baseline BMI z-score. Results Data were collected between August 2021 and May 2022. The median age of the 108 participants in the study was 10.3 years (IQR 8.8-11.5). Most participants had low (55%) or very low (34%) food security. BMI z-score was not associated with categorical food security status (p=0.108). However, higher food insecurity as a continuous variable was associated with a lower BMI z-score (Pearson correlation -0.23, p=0.015; Figure 1). In a multivariable linear regression with sex, age at study entry, total hemoglobin, employment status, and head of household educational status, the childhood food insecurity score was negatively associated with the BMI z-score (Beta coefficient = -.05, p=0.047). Conclusions Our study reveals a high prevalence of food insecurity among older children with sickle cell anemia in Nigeria. Moreover, children experiencing higher food insecurity also exhibited more severe malnutrition, as evidenced by their lower BMI z-scores. Based on these results, we have started implementing food insecurity assessment as routine medical care in children with sickle cell anemia at multiple clinics in northern Nigeria. Children experiencing higher levels of food insecurity are referred to nutritional counseling, where they receive guidance on locally available nutrient-dense foods and preparation strategies. Figure 1.The predicted baseline body mass index z-score with 95% confidence intervals based on childhood food insecurity scores from a linear regression model of the participants in the SAMS trial.

The challenges hampering South African economic growth integration process in the sub-region

The study aims to assess the issues and challenges hampering policy implementation in the Southern African region for economic growth. Qualitatively, this paper collected data and analysed them based on content, using secondary sources from different domains, including Google Scholar, and Scorpius repositories. Findings demonstrate that the design and structure of the African regional development within the integration schemes is around inward-looking industrialization intended to facilitate economic participation costs for member states. This often remains unevenly distributed among member states. Most countries in Africa linger highly reliant on agriculture and yet suffer from high levels of unemployment and food insecurity on the continent. The study contributes to the existing debate on regional and economic integration in the Southern African sub-regional for social-economic development with the adoption of ethical value leadership and accountability. In these situations, it is logical to expect the “African regional integration in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) sub-regional schemes to be most focused on developing synergies that may exist to promote both socio-economic development and regional security across borders. This may hamper policy implementation through good governance and an ethically valued approach.

Transitioning to more sustainable food systems that support health and wellbeing

Food is central to our health and well-being, yet many aspects of our food systems have become unhealthy and unsustainable. Our food systems today contribute significantly to, and are being destabilised by, the environmental crises we are facing. An increase in the consumption of low-quality diets is the leading cause of death and a major contributor to the burden of non-communicable diseases in Europe. Dietary guidelines issued by governments do not align at all with what is being produced, consumed, and exported. Food systems have also contributed to creating, entrenching and widening health inequalities across Europe, as subgroups of the population have little access to and ability to choose healthy and sustainable food. In addition, the benefits of current food production and consumption systems go to large transnational companies rather than small companies and primary producers; the average EU farmer for example earns 50% of the average worker in the economy. Major external shocks such as COVID-19 and the Russian war against Ukraine have reflected the vulnerability of our current systems of food production and redistribution, as experienced through growing levels of food inflation, food insecurity and hunger in Europe, and even more so in other parts of the world. Ambitious intersectoral and systemic approaches are needed to address current contradictions in our food systems, and to make them more sustainable and resilient. Public health professionals need to step up their action to highlight the impacts of unhealthy food consumption, advocating and engaging in political debates. Promising policies at the EU level, such as the Farm to Fork Strategy, Sustainable Food Law, and on Food Security, set out planned measures to make food systems more environmentally friendly, fair and healthy. Ensuring that such policies are actually implemented, and that environmental, health and social considerations are valued in equal measure as economic ones, remains however a major challenge. This plenary session will focus on what measures are urgently needed and must be prioritised to ensure more sustainable food systems and to improve health and well- being across Europe. The plenary will also discuss the challenges, and the role of health professionals in helping to achieve this critical shift. Moderators: Suzanne Costello, CEO, Institute of Public Health, Ireland Caroline Costongs, Director EuroHealthNet Video address: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General Keynote speaker: Tim Lang, Emeritus Professor of Food Policy, City University of London, UK Panellists: Francesco Branca, Director of the Department of Nutrition for Health and Development, WHO Gunhild A. Stordalen, Founder and Executive Chair EAT Foundation, Norway Holly Cairns, TD for Cork South-West and Leader of the Social Democrats and party spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Rural Development; Social Justice; and Disability, Ireland Anant Jani, University of Heidelberg, Germany and Fellow Oxford Martin School, Oxford University, UK

Pemodelan Tingkat Kerawanan Pangan Rumah Tangga di Indonesia Tahun 2021 dengan Pendekatan Regresi Logistik Ordinal

&lt;p class="AbstractEnglish"&gt;Until 2021, Indonesia has succeeded in reducing the prevalence rate of the population with moderate or severe food insecurity. But on the other hand, Indonesia's Global Food Security Index (GFSI) score which has declined in the last three years shows that Indonesia's food security is getting weaker in various aspects. The condition of food security that begins to weaken can trigger food insecurity. Food insecurity that can have an impact on health, nutrition and health system problems is a national health problem that needs attention. Therefore, this study aims to examine the level of household food insecurity and the variables that influence it. This study uses The National Socioeconomic Survey (Susenas) March 2021 data which was analyzed using partial proportional odds model (PPOM) ordinal logistics regression method. In general, the results show that variables area of residence, gender, age, education, business field, number of household members, residence ownership status, and per capita expenditure affect the level of household food insecurity in Indonesia in 2021.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="AbstractEnglish"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keywords&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;: &lt;/strong&gt;food insecurity; ordinal logistic regression; PPOM&lt;/p&gt;

Stop the shame and the hunger: The need for school meal program reform

The current School Meal Program (SMP) system has existed in the U.S. for more than seventy years, with the intent to offer free and reduced-price meals to students in need. However, after decades of state and local-level implementation of SMPs, the programs today are ineffective at fully addressing students’ physical, social, and emotional needs. State and local education agencies have struggled to carry out successful eligibility, enrollment, and debt-collection processes, ultimately resulting in harmful practices, including lunch-shaming. Such practices impede the success of the program to fulfill its goals and may negatively impact students’ social and emotional development. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and with increased levels of food insecurity, state and local education agencies should consider adjusting their practices to fully meet student nutrition needs. In this unique time, education agencies are presented with an opportunity to move beyond the current SMP model to better fulfill the program’s ultimate goal of providing students with the nutritional support needed to thrive both in and outside the classroom. Here we suggest modern reforms for the SMP landscape through greater levels of federal regulation, guidance, and review processes to support effective SMP implementation at the state and district level; reevaluation of state and local education agencies’ use of available federal options to increase access to school meals; and further research on SMP implementation, debt-collection practices, and costs of a universal free meals program to better understand their effects on student outcomes.

Community Clustering of Food Insecurity and Malnutrition Associated With Systemic Drivers in Chad.

Chad suffers from protracted hunger, facing high food insecurity (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification 3 and above), and acute malnutrition levels that surpass the emergency threshold (15% global acute malnutrition) yearly. The Food Security Sector, with European Union support, leads an inclusive effort to increase synergy between humanitarian, development, and peace-building actors to understand and address drivers of hunger. To understand the spatial distribution of child wasting and household food insecurity and systemic drivers (conflict, livelihoods, vegetation, cultural norms) as well as better understand the relationship between child wasting and household food insecurity in Kanem and Bahr el Ghazal (BeG) region, Chad, with the goal of improving nexus programming and targeting. A cross-sectional randomized cluster survey was conducted in August 2021 in Kanem and BeG across 86 villages, reaching 7002 households and 6136 children. Data were collected on child anthropometry, household food security, and livelihoods. Using mixed methods, primary data were triangulated with secondary geospatial data on vegetation index and conflicts as well as qualitative interviews with local actors. Analysis was conducted using comparison tests, linear and logistic crude, and adjusted models, as well as looking at the design effect as a measure of clustering of outcomes at the community level. The geospatial distribution of hunger indicators shows child wasting and food insecurity are highly clustered. However, communities with a high prevalence of child wasting were not those with the highest levels of food insecurity, indicating different pathways. Clustering of food insecurity and child wasting is due to basic drivers of conflict, health, and seasonal access to natural resources. The high levels of food insecurity and child wasting are each concentrated in specific survey clusters and are not necessarily connected. They result from different causal pathways at the community level linked to the systemic drivers of the rule of access to natural resources, environmental seasonality, and livelihoods. This suggests a greater need for an integrated humanitarian, development, and peace-building interventions to address the persistent high prevalence of food insecurity and child wasting. It also suggests that these community-level and systemic drivers require greater consideration from the start in research design and data collection.

Temporal trends of food insecurity in Chad, 2016–2021

IntroductionConsidering persistently high levels of poverty and food insecurity in Chad, this study examines food insecurity trends from 2016 to 2021 and identifies risk factors for food insecurity in 2020 and 2021.MethodsData from six cross-sectional Enquête Nationale sur la Securité Alimentaire (ENSA) surveys from 2016 to 2021 collected in rural areas were used. The linear regressions for food consumption score (FCS), reduced coping strategy index (rCSI), and livelihood coping strategy index (LCSI) and logistic regressions for “poor food consumption” were used to estimate the annual rate of change. Risk factor analysis was conducted with demographic, socio-economic, and pandemic-related economic indicators in univariate models, and subsequent multivariate models were used to produce adjusted odds ratios.ResultsAt a national level, there was a gradual decrease in FCS (1.16 points per year), an increase in LCSI (0.11 points), and an increase in the proportion of households with poor food consumption from 18.5% to 25.3% (1.55 percentage point) during 2016–2021; a similar trend for FCS and LCSI for worsened food insecurity was observed in the Sudanian zone. There was no significant change in rCSI during that time at the national level, but there was a reduction in the Saharan zone and an increasing trend in the Sahélian zone. Risk factors for poor food consumption in 2020–2021 included lower wealth status, a single income source, an illiterate household head, and Sahelian zone residence. The only characteristic significantly associated with increased coping mechanism use in both years was having a disabled household head.DiscussionThe results provide evidence of worsening food security in Chad in the past 6 years, both nationally and including the agricultural Sudanian zone. Food insecurity was consistently the highest in the Sahelian zone. While some risk factors for poor food consumption and diet-related coping mechanism use were consistent between 2020 and 2021, there were differences among other risk factors, likely a reflection of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. A strategic shift in humanitarian and development programming is required to mitigate the rise in food insecurity at the national and regional levels, with a particular emphasis on the Sahelian zone.

Harnessing community expertise in understanding food insecurity to inform responses in a local government area in Victoria, Australia: a mixed methods photovoice study

BackgroundLocal food systems which support affordable, equitable, accessible, and sustainable food are important to enhance food access and reduce food insecurity. Cardinia Shire Council, a local government in Victoria, Australia has developed and endorsed a ‘Community Food Strategy’ to support their local food system and food security. This study aimed to explore local government community member perspectives regarding food access within their local food environment, and suggested areas to be addressed to better support access.MethodsA sequential mixed methods photovoice methodology was implemented. Participants aged over 18 years, who resided in Cardinia Shire, completed an online quantitative survey to explore demographics, food access and food security status and severity (18-item USDA Household Food Security Survey Module). The qualitative photovoice method was used, whereby participants were asked to take photographs that represent their experiences of food access. These photographs were used as prompts in a semi-structured interview Interview data were thematically analysed.ResultsSeventeen participants completed the study, of which five participants experienced varied severity levels of food insecurity. From the photovoice interviews four themes were developed: 1) Food: a connector to self, people and place, 2) Influencers of food access and triggers for food insecurity, 3) Savvy food literacy skills to support access to food, 4) Consequences of and struggles with food insecurity. Participants suggested recommendations for action to support future food access in their community.ConclusionsWhile food choice is influenced by a range of determinants, the local food environment greatly impacts both food access and food choice. A supportive local food system which promotes inclusion of a community voice, community connectedness, food literacy and physical and economic access to local produce is crucial to support food security.

Evaluation of food insecurity and associated factors in women of childbearing age: A community-based study from Turkey.

Food security is an important factor in ensuring a healthy diet. However, it has been reported that women are more vulnerable to food insecurity than men in many countries. In addition, there is little evidence that Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence is associated with a lower risk of food insecurity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate food insecurity and associated factors in women of childbearing age. In addition, women's adherence to MD and its relationship with food insecurity were evaluated. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 2675 adult women aged 18-49. The demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, nutritional habits, compliance with the MD, and the level of food insecurity were evaluated using the structured, self-administered, web-based questionnaire form. The mean age of the individuals was 29.5 ± 10.35 years. 21.6% of individuals had food insecurity, and 5.2% had severe food insecurity. 36.4% of the individuals adhere to the MD. There was a statistically significant difference between the individuals with and without food security regarding age, marital status, and income status (p < .05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of the Mediterranean diet adherence score (MEDAS) and MEDAS classification between individuals with and without food security (p > .05). It was determined that age, marital status, and income status affected food insecurity (R 2 = 0.374; p < .001). Also, it was determined that age, number of main meals and snacks, and income status affected adherence to MD (R 2 = 0.286; p < .001). In conclusion, considering the fragility of women in food insecurity, more comprehensive studies should be conducted in this area to better define the factors associated with food insecurity in women and inform policymakers. In addition, the results of this study can shed light on comprehensive intervention studies in this area.

Food Insecurity and Dental Caries in Rural Mexican Populations.

Food insecurity (FI) is a priority for government and health organizations. Over 95% of the world's population has a carious lesion or will develop one before death. This study evaluated the association between FI and oral health in two rural communities in Chiapas, Mexico. The study was conducted with patients attending an oral health campaign for dental checkups. Data were collected between April and August 2017 using the Latin-American and Caribbean Scale of Food Security (ELCSA) and the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). We included 209 participants from Siltepec and Huehuetan, Mexico; 67% were women. The results of the ELCSA were mild FI in 43% (n = 91), moderate FI in 22% (n = 45), and severe FI (n = 6) in 3%; 32% had food security. The ICDAS results were initial decay with a mean of 6.22, moderate decay with a mean of 1.81, and extensive decay with a mean of 1.77. FI is associated with dental caries, and food-insecure individuals have a higher probability of severe dental caries. In this study, the FI level was lower than in other rural populations in Mexico. Identifying these individuals and addressing the factors related to FI can be useful in the rural communities.

Addressing food insecurity: what is the role of healthcare?

Food insecurity - when individuals or households have difficulty accessing sufficient, safe, culturally appropriate and nutritious food due to lack of money or other resources - is a global public health concern. Levels of food insecurity have increased across the UK in recent years, due in part to a decade of austerity, widespread loss of income during the COVID-19 pandemic and the more recent cost-of-living crisis, leading to rising use of food banks. The stress of living with uncertain access to food and going periods without food is damaging to physical and mental health. Food insecurity is linked to both obesity and malnutrition, as often the most readily available foods are processed, high in fats, sugars and salt, but low in essential nutrients for health. While recognising that many of the drivers of food insecurity, and health inequalities more broadly (i.e. the social determinants of health) lie outside the health service, it is increasingly acknowledged that the National Health Service - and primary care in particular - has a key role to play in mitigating health inequalities. This review considers the potential role of healthcare in mitigating food insecurity, with a focus on primary care settings. Recent initiatives in Scotland, such as community links workers and general practitioner practice-attached financial advice workers, have shown promise as part of a more community-oriented approach to primary care, which can mitigate the effects of food insecurity. However, a more 'upstream' response is required, including 'cash first' interventions as part of broader national strategies to end the need for food banks.