Mild Food Insecurity Research Articles

Association of food insecurity with the use of tobacco products and urine cotinine-measured smoking intensity: evidence from a population-based study in South Korea, 2019–2021

IntroductionThis study explored the association between food insecurity and tobacco product use and urine cotinine-measured smoking intensity.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 13 705 adults representative of the Korean population. The 18-item...

The concentration of hemoglobin is associated with the dietary iron availability, food insecurity and the use of oral contraceptives among women in socially vulnerable areas of a capital city in northeastern Brazil.

This study aimed to assess hemoglobinconcentration and its association with oral contraceptive (OC) use, food insecurity (FI) and dietary iron availability (DIA) in adult women of reproductive age (20-44 years). This is a population-based cross-sectional study that analysed 505 women living in favelas and urban communities in a capital city in northeastern Brazil. Hemoglobin concentration was determined using capillary blood samples. FI and DIAwere assessed using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale and the 24-h food recall, respectively. Association analysis was carried out using logistic regression. A directed acyclic graph (DAG) was designed to illustrate the causal paths between hemoglobin concentration and DIA. A significance level of 5 % was adopted. Low hemoglobin concentrations (11·2 g/dl: (1·79)) and a high prevalence of anaemia (64·0 %) were observed; 28·7 % used OC (28·7 %) and 76·4 % were in FI. An average energetic intake of 1495 kcal/d (482·0) and 0·46 mg/d (0·27) of DIA were also observed. In the DAG-guided multivariable analysis, it was observed that hemoglobin concentrations ≥ 12 mg/dl were directly associated with higher DIA(OR: 1·67; 95 % CI (1. 08, 2·59)) and OC use (OR: 1·67; 95 % CI (1·10, 2·55)) and inversely associated with mild FI (OR: 0·60; 95 % CI (0·37, 0·96)) or severe FI (OR: 0·37; 95 % CI: (0·18, 0·76)). Women taking OC and with a higher DIA were less likely to have low hemoglobin concentrations, while those in the context of FI were in the opposite situation.

Food insecurity and its determinants in pastoralist and agrarian communities in South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Despite the implementation of different interventions, food insecurity remains a major public health issue in rural areas of Ethiopia. However, there has been limited evidence regarding food insecurity and responsible factors in rural areas of Ethiopia, particularly in South Omo, Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to assess food insecurity and determinants in agrarian and pastoralist communities of South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was done among 605 randomly selected households in Benatsemay and South Ari districts from February 1 to 28, 2023. A standardized and validated Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to measure food insecurity status. Data were entered using Epi-Info 7.1 and then transferred to SPSS V25 for analysis. To identify associated factors, a binary logistic regression model was employed. The strength of association was evaluated considering the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI). A statistical significance was stated at p-value <0.05. A total of 597 participants were involved in the study with a response rate of 98.7%. The overall prevalence of food insecurity using HFIAS was 42.2% (95%CI: 38.2, 46.3%), among which mild, moderate, and severe food insecurity accounted for 17.4, 16.6, and 8.2%, respectively. Of pastoralists, 114 (47.1%) were food insecure whereas 138 (38.9%) were food insecure in the agrarian. Food insecurity was affected by household head sex (AOR = 1.73, 95%CI: 1.14, 2.62), high dependency ratio (AOR = 2.53, 95%CI: 1.53, 4.20), no formal maternal education (AOR = 2.11, 95%CI: 1.07, 4.18), productive safety net program (AOR = 2.00, 95%CI: 1.16, 3.46) and land ownership (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.72). Food insecurity was a significant problem in the study areas. Thus, it is crucial to improve female education, advance agricultural technologies, advocate family planning, and broaden productive safety net programs.

A - 40 Food Insecurity Is Associated with Serious Cognitive Difficulties among Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disabilities

Abstract Objective Youth with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities (LD), experience cognitive difficulties in their daily lives. Food insecurity, a public health problem, disproportionately affects youth with neurodevelopmental disorders and is associated with mental health and academic functioning. We examined the association between parent-reported food insecurity and cognitive difficulty among youth after adjusting for factors associated with cognitive difficulty. Methods The 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health, conducted in the United States, is designed to provide parent-reported information on the health and well-being of children and adolescents. Associations between cognitive difficulty, food insecurity, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), psychiatric conditions, flourishing, receiving federal assistance, and low socioeconomic status were analyzed using binary logistic regressions. Results There were 6422 youth (aged 6–17) with ADHD and/or LD (63.4% boys). Around half had parent-reported serious cognitive difficulties (50.5%). A third (31.9%) were reported to have mild food insecurity and 6.7% had moderate/severe food insecurity. In the multivariable model [χ2(6) = 1138.25, p &amp;lt; 0.001; Nagelkerke R2 = 0.22], food insecurity [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07–1.34)] was an independent predictor of serious cognitive difficulty, in addition to ACEs (OR = 1.121, 95%CI = 1.075–1.168), anxiety or depression (OR = 2.279, 95%CI = 2.041–2.545), flourishing (OR = 0.473, 95%CI = 0.442–0.505), and free or reduced school meals (OR = 1.244, 95%CI = 1.108–1.397). Conclusion Food insecurity was independently associated with parent-reported cognitive problems among youth with ADHD and LD. Better understanding the mechanisms that underlie the associations between food insecurity, other social determinants of health, and cognitive difficulties can facilitate the development of targeted, evidence-informed interventions to bolster functional and academic outcomes for youth with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Assessment of prevalence and severity of food insecurity among parents/guardians of students in Basrah Province, Southern Iraq

Background and Aim: An individual’s ability to obtain enough nutritious and healthy food to sustain a healthy lifestyle is a crucial indicator of food security. This study estimated food insecurity’s prevalence and levels among parents/guardians of secondary school students in Basrah and describe its consequences. Materials and Methods: The Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) was implemented through a questionnaire survey to evaluate food insecurity. The relationship between financial factors, attitudes, and psychological impacts regarding food accessibility and affordability was studied in detail. The eight food insecurity questions’ responses were measured using the Rasch model approach. Results: Two hundred and fifty-two parents/guardians took part in the survey. The prevalence of food insecurity was estimated as 24% (with a 95% confidence interval of 18.9%–29.8%). Around 50% of the parents/guardians stated that their typical income is middle-income. 28% of respondents reported having sufficient food but not their preferred choices, while 35% paired food shortage with financial instability, 32% could not afford nutritionally balanced meals, and 21% of the parents admitted to cut or skipped their meals to other family members. 21% of parents/guardians were affected by inadequate food supply during the COVID-19 pandemic. The level of food insecurity included that 50% of the respondents exhibited mild food insecurity, 19.4% had moderate food insecurity, and 4.3% were classified as having severe food insecurity. According to the Rasch analysis of the FIES data, the likelihood of experiencing severe food insecurity is linked to consuming unhealthy food, having food run out, and eating unbalanced meals. Conclusion: The study found that financial constraints, food safety concerns, and limited access to nutritious food explain the widespread food insecurity reported. Significant efforts are required to alleviate chronic food shortages in Basrah, including job creation, strengthening agricultural production, and implementing safety-net policies for affected families. Keywords: food accessibility, food insecurity, parents/guardians, Rasch model.

Toward Ending Violence Against Women: The Association of Intimate Partner Violence With Food Security Status Among Ever-Married Women in Cameroon.

Despite an extensive body of literature that explores potential mechanisms explaining the factors associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) experienced by women, very few studies have studied the association of food security status with women's experience of IPV in sub-Saharan Africa countries, including Cameroon. Using data from the 2018 Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey (n = 4,690), we explore the association between food security status and three distinct forms of IPV (i.e., emotional, sexual, and physical IPV) among ever-married women in Cameroon. Adjusting for socioeconomic, demographic, and attitudinal and behavioral characteristics, we found that women with severe (odds ratio [OR] = 2.09, p < .01), moderate (OR = 1.88, p < .05), and mild (OR = 1.76, p < .05) food insecurity were more likely to experience sexual IPV, compared to those without any food insecurity, whereas women with severe food insecurity were more likely to experience physical IPV (OR = 1.89, p < .001). Although women with severe (OR = 1.51, p < .01) and moderate (OR = 1.67, p < .001) food insecurity had a higher likelihood of experiencing emotional IPV at a bivariate level, we found that these associations became no longer significant in our adjusted model. These findings suggest that food insecurity is a critical risk factor for IPV among ever-married women in Cameroon. Addressing IPV requires a comprehensive strategy that places special emphasis on households experiencing food insecurity. There is also an urgent need to implement educational programs to increase awareness of the interconnection between food insecurity and IPV and to allocate resources to community-based initiatives that empower women both economically and socially.

Household food security and WASH practices in children with undernutrition: a case study in low middle income area in Semarang, Indonesia

Purpose: This study analyzed the correlation between household food security (HFS) and WASH practices toward nutritional status in children with undernutrition. Methods: This type of research was analytically observational with a cross-sectional design. The sample in this study was 55 mothers with children with a history of undernutrition aged 6 to 23 months. The Rank Spearman test was conducted to analyze this study. Results: The prevalence of stunted and severely stunted was 34.55%, respectively; underweight and severely underweight were 36.36%, respectively; and wasted and severely wasted were 30.91 and 16.36% respectively. The percentage of respondents with mild, moderate, and severe food insecurity were 23.6, 7.3, and 12.7% respectively. The average value of WASH practices was rated as good among all respondents. Household food security score was associated with WAZ (p=0.008 and r=0.352) and HAZ (p=0.027 and r=0.299) but was not associated with WHZ (p=0.067; r=0.248). WASH practice was associated with WAZ (p=0.000; r=0.504), HAZ (p=0.000; r=0.455), and WHZ (p=0.000; r=0.334). Conclusion: There were still conditions of severe food insecurity and undernutrition problems that need the focus of attention. There is a need for monitoring by looking at certain aspects, such as HFS and WASH practices in reducing undernutrition.

Food insecurity in Malaysia: assessing the impact of movement control order during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose This study aims to assess the household food insecurity in Malaysia during the initial phase of the movement control order (MCO) to provide insights into the prevalence and predictors of food insecurity in this context. Design/methodology/approach The research used an online cross-sectional survey between March 28 and April 28, 2020. The study collected data from the Radimer/Cornell Hunger Scale and a food insecurity instrument. Analytical tools included chi-square and logistic regression models. Findings Of the 411 participating households, 54.3% were food-secure, while 45.7% experienced varying food insecurity. Among these, 29.9% reported mild hunger-associated food insecurity, 8.5% experienced individual food insecurity and 7.3% reported child hunger. The study identified predictors for food insecurity, including household income, as those with total income of &lt; RM 2,300 had 13 times greater odds (odds ratio [OR] 13.8; confidence interval [CI] 5.9–32.1; p &lt; 0.001) than those with income of RM 5,600, marital status as divorced (OR 4.4; 95% CI 1.0–19.9; p-value = 0.05) or married (OR 1.04; 95% CI 0.52–2.1) compared to those who are single. Self-employed respondents had three times greater odds of living in a household experiencing food insecurity (OR 3.58; 95% CI 1.6–7.7; p-value = 0.001) than those in the private sector (OR 1.48; 95% CI 0.85–2.61) or experiencing job loss (OR 1.39; 95% CI 0.62–3.1) compared with those who reported being in full-time government employment. Research limitations/implications This study acknowledged limitations, such as not considering various dimensions of food insecurity, such as coping strategies, nutritional support, diet quality and well-being, due to the complexity of the issue. Practical implications The study underscores the importance of targeted support for vulnerable groups and fostering collaborative efforts to address household food insecurity during crises like the MCOs. Social implications The research offers insights into how to address household food insecurity and its impact on society. Originality/value It identifies predictors, quantifies increased odds and emphasizes the necessity of targeted policies and collaborative approaches for fostering resilient recovery and promoting well-being in vulnerable populations.

Self-rated health according to sex and associated factors in Manaus, Brazil, 2019: a population-based cross-sectional study.

To assess the prevalence and factors associated with poor self-rated health according to respondents' sex in Manaus, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional population-based study with adults in Manaus in 2019. Adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated using Poisson regression following a hierarchical model. Poor self-rated health occurred in 35.2% (95%CI 33.3;37.2) of the 2,321 participants and was higher in females (PR = 1.27; 95%CI 1.13;1.43). In the general population, among both sexes, poor self-rated health was higher among the oldest, those with moderate and severe food insecurity and with chronic diseases (p-value < 0.05). Among females, poor health was also higher among the evangelical and those with mild food insecurity. Among males, self-rated health was also poorer among the retired and those with education below elementary level (p-value < 0.001). The female sex had the poorest health rating, influenced by morbidity and access to food.

Food insecurity and household water insecurity: a population-based study in a municipality in the Amazon River basin, Brazil

This study analyzed food insecurity and associated factors in the urban area of a municipality in the Amazon River basin, Western Amazon. This is a cross-sectional population-based study conducted from August to November 2021 with 983 households selected by stratified probability sampling. A multinomial logistic regression model was used, adopting the following criteria: p-value < 20% in the bivariate analysis and p-value < 5% for the multivariate adjustment. The results of the analyses were described as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). The following variables were significantly associated with mild or moderate food insecurity: household water insecurity; number of residents ≥ 5 in the household; belonging to socioeconomic class D or E; having a father, mother or another as the head of the family; and having any resident as a beneficiary of the Brazilian Income Transfer Program. The analysis model for severe food insecurity showed that living with household water insecurity; belonging to socioeconomic class D or E; having a father, mother or another as the head of the family; age of the head of the family < 55 years; and family income lower that two minimum wages increased the chances of severe food insecurity when compared to those with food security. In conclusion, this study found a high prevalence of food insecurity in the Municipality of Itapiranga, State of Amazonas, North Region of Brazil, associated with social and economic vulnerability, lack of public services, and household water insecurity.

Factors associated with food insecurity among pregnant women in Gedeo zone public hospitals, Southern Ethiopia.

Food insecurity refers to a lack of consistent access to sufficient food for active, better health. Around two billion people worldwide suffer from food insecurity and hidden hunger. This study focuses on food insecurity and associated factors among pregnant women in Gedeo Zone Public Hospitals, Southern Ethiopia. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women in Gedeo zone public hospitals from May to June 2021. Primary data of 506 pregnant women were collected using interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and a multi-stage sampling technique was used to select study participants. The household food insecurity access scale of the questionnaire was used and a woman was considered as food insecure when it has any of the food insecurity conditions mild, moderate, or severe food insecure, otherwise, it was classified as food secure. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) determined the association between various factors and outcomes. Of all study participants, 67.39% of the women were food insecure, and the remaining 32.6% had food security. The pregnant women from rural areas [AOR = 0.532, 95% CI: 0.285, 0.994], married [AOR = 0.232, 95% CI: 0.072, 0.750], had a secondary education [AOR = 0.356, 95%CI: 0.154, 0.822], and be employed [AOR = 0.453, 95% CI: 0.236, 0.872], the wealth index middle [AOR = 0.441, 95% CI: 0.246, 0.793] and rich [AOR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.128, 0.449] were factors associated with food insecurity. The study area had a high prevalence of food insecurity. Food insecurity was reduced in those who lived in rural areas, were married, had a secondary education, were employed, and had a wealth index of middle and rich.

Indigenous Knowledge and Food Security of Tunggu Tubang Community in Semende, South Sumatra

This research aims to identify and document the local food security system in the Semende traditional community based on tunggu tubang indigenous knowledge. The study was conducted in 3 districts of Muara Enim, South Sumatra, involving 81 people from 5 villages practicing the tunggu tubang custom. Using a mixed method, the research took place from July to August 2023.The findings revealed that while tunggu tubang adherents still inherit rice fields and agricultural land, some no longer own rice fields. Inheriting rice fields has led to sufficient food availability but does not guarantee good food security. 50.6% of respondents experienced mild food insecurity due to the traditional sandwich generation where they have to support their parents and closest family. Despite this, most children (56.6%) showed good nutritional status. This research identifies and documents the local food security system in the Semende traditional community. It reveals the importance of tunggu tubang in maintaining food availability but acknowledges the challenges in achieving food security. The findings provide valuable insights for developing educational initiatives to address climate change and food security

The Role of Traditional Leafy Vegetables on Household Food Security in Umdoni Municipality of the KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa.

This study assessed the effect of traditional leafy vegetables (TLVs) on the level of food security in the rural area of Dlangezwa, in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. A total of 100 respondents were selected using a simple random sampling method. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to measure the food security status. The influence of TLVs on household food security was examined using an ordered logit model. Pumpkin leaves and blackjack were the most consumed traditional leafy vegetables in the study area, at 97% and 81%, respectively. The results from HFIAS showed that 17% of the households were food secure, 44% were mild food insecure, 26% were moderately food insecure and 13% were severely food insecure. The results from the chi2 test showed that there was a significant correlation between the intake of cowpeas (p = 0.02), blackjack (p = 0.01), and moringa (p = 0.02) with the degree of household food security in the surveyed houses. The ordered logit model's findings indicated that consumption of leafy vegetables, educational attainment, employment status, and marital status all had a substantial impact on the food insecurity of the households. The marital status of a household showed a positive and significant impact on the food insecurity situation, while educational level, employment status, and consumption of leafy vegetables showed a negative and significant impact. For enhanced household food security, there is a need for initiatives that encourage the use of a wide range of traditional leafy vegetables such as Moringa oleifera, Amaranthus, and cowpeas. More awareness should be made regarding the nutritional benefits that TLVs have.

Food Insecurity and Health Outcomes of Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the United States.

We aimed to (a) provide nationally representative estimates of food insecurity (FI) among children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and (b) determine the association between FI and four health outcomes (overall health, problem behavior, activities of daily living, functional limitations) in 5,657 children with IDD compared to 1:1 propensity score matched children without IDD. Mixed-effects ordered logistic regression models were used. Children with IDD were more likely to experience FI than children without IDD (43.3% vs. 30.0%, p < 0.001). FI and IDD were independently associated with worse scores on all four health outcomes. Having both FI and IDD further exacerbated the adverse impacts on these health outcomes. The association was stronger among children with moderate-to-severe FI than those with mild FI.

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.

Farmers’ Food Security in Forest and Peatland Fires Prone Areas of South Kalimantan, Indonesia

Forest and peatland fires in Indonesia affect the lives of farmers near the prone areas, and their food security is impacted. This research aimed to examine the level of food security and identify the factors influencing it in the forest and peatland fires of South Kalimantan. One hundred farmers, considered vulnerable to peatland fires, from two subdistricts, namely Gambut District and Sungai Tabuk District, were interviewed. The study employed the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) method, consisting of nine food conditions questions and logistic regression analysis. This study shows that the majority of farmers experience mild food insecurity. Land status, family size, fire rate, and land size affected the farmers’ food security. Disaster mitigation education may help reduce the impact of forest and peatland fires on farmers’ food security. Additionally, support from various stakeholders will strengthen food security efforts. Keywords: farmers, fires, food security, forest, peatland

Association of Food Insecurity Status with Resolution of Mental Health Conditions in Children and Adolescents.

Adverse consequences related to unresolved mental health issues underscore the importance of identifying factors that impede resolution of mental health conditions. Although studies have identified food insecurity as a risk factor for the diagnosis of mental health conditions, its impact on unresolved mental health issues is not understood. The objective of this study is to investigate the association of food insecurity status with resolution of depression, anxiety, and behavioral/conduct problems in children and adolescents. Using National Survey of Children's Health 2016 to 2019, logistic regression analyses examined the relationship of food insecurity status with the diagnosis and resolution of depression, anxiety, and behavioral/conduct problems in children (aged 5-11 years) and adolescents (aged 12-17 years). Mild, moderate, and severe food insecurity were significantly associated with higher odds of being diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and behavioral/conduct problems. Severe food insecurity was significantly associated with higher odds of unresolved behavioral/conduct problems in children (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 10.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.99-34.04), after adjustment for demographic covariates. In adolescents, severe food insecurity was significantly related to greater odds of unresolved depression (aOR, 6.64; 95% CI, 2.13-20.70), anxiety (aOR, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.31-8.14), and behavioral/conduct problems (aOR, 5.57; 95% CI, 2.09-14.85). These associations of severe food insecurity with unresolved mental health conditions were significant even after adjustment for the receipt of mental health care. Mild and moderate food insecurity were not significantly associated with unresolved mental health conditions. The findings suggest that severe food insecurity is associated with increased odds of unresolved mental health conditions in children and adolescents. This study highlights the importance of tailoring interventions to provide appropriate mental health services for children and adolescents from severely food insecure households.

Food Insecurity is Associated with Low Dietary Diversity in Rural Women in Mexico: Results from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey, ENSANUT 2018

ABSTRACT Rural women suffer greater vulnerability to food insecurity (FI) compared to their urban or male counterparts. We analyzed the association between food security (FS) status and dietary diversity (DD) in rural women through data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) 2018 from 2,099 rural women. DD was measured using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. FS was measured using the Latin America and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA). The prevalence of any level of FI was 70.1%. Mean DD score was 3.8. Mild FI was associated with low DD (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.06, 2.10). Results highlight the need for government strategies targeted to this population sector to improve their diet quality.

Food insecurity and cognitive function in older adults: findings from the longitudinal aging study in India

BackgroundAs we grow older, food insecurity (FI) may have an impact on our cognitive abilities. The study examines the association of FI with the cognitive function of older adults in India.MethodsWe have used the data from the first wave of the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI), with a sample of 27,032 older adults aged 60 years and older. Bivariate analysis and linear regression models with clusters were applied to show the association. The cognitive performance tests include episodic memory, orientation, arithmetic function, executive function, and object naming.ResultsThe mean cognition was 24.2 (range 0–43), while 36.4%, 2.1%, and 6.4% experienced mild, moderate, and severe FI, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, mild (β = −0.18, 95% CI: −0.32, − 0.04) and severe (β = −0.52, 95% CI: −0.82, − 0.22) food insecurity was associated with poor overall cognitive performance. Domain-specific differences in cognition, such as memory, orientation, arithmetic function, executive function, and object naming, were also validated by the level of FI.ConclusionThe finding suggests that FI is associated with a poor level of cognition among older adults, highlighting the need for increasing the coverage and intervention strategies to address FI in India.

Neighborhood Unsafety, Discrimination, and Food Insecurity among Nigerians Aged 15-49.

We investigated the association between discrimination, neighborhood unsafety, and household food insecurity (FI) among Nigerian adults, as well as the gender-specific differences in these associations. Our analysis utilized data from the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), comprising 56,146 Nigerian adults aged 15-49 (17,346 males and 38,800 females). For bivariate analysis, we employed the Rao-Scott chi-square test to examine the relationship between predictors (discrimination, neighborhood unsafety, and a composite variable of both) and the outcome variable (FI). Food insecurity was assessed using both a dichotomous measure (food insecure vs. food secure) and a multinomial variable (food secure, mild FI, moderate FI, and severe FI). To model the association between predictors and FI while controlling for potential confounding factors, we utilized weighted binary and multinomial logistic regression. Among Nigerian adults, the prevalence of having ever experienced FI was 86.1%, with the prevalence of mild FI, moderate FI, and severe FI being 11.5%, 30.1%, and 44.5%, respectively. In the binary model, experiencing discrimination (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.19-1.55), living in an unsafe neighborhood (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.14-1.54), and facing both discrimination and unsafe neighborhood conditions (OR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.57-2.48) were significantly associated with FI. In the multinomial model, discrimination, neighborhood unsafety, and experiencing both remained associated with moderate and severe FI. In the gender-specific models, discrimination and neighborhood unsafety were found to be significantly associated with FI in women but not in men. This study underscores the importance of implementing policies and programs that address the underlying causes of food insecurity, with specific attention to discrimination and neighborhood safety concerns, particularly for Nigerian women.