scholarly journals Food insecurity measurement and prevalence estimates during the COVID-19 pandemic in a repeated cross-sectional survey in Mexico

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Gaitán-Rossi ◽  
Mireya Vilar-Compte ◽  
Graciela Teruel ◽  
Rafael Pérez-Escamilla
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mobile Telephone ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adequate Model

Abstract Objective: To validate the telephone modality of the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA) included in three waves of a phone survey to estimate the monthly household food insecurity prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. Design: We examined the reliability and internal validity of the ELCSA scale in three repeated waves of cross-sectional surveys with Rasch models. We estimated the monthly prevalence of food insecurity in the general population and in households with and without children and compared them with a national 2018 survey. We tested concurrent validity by testing associations of food insecurity with socio-economic status and anxiety. Setting: ENCOVID-19 is a monthly telephone cross-sectional survey collecting information on the well-being of Mexican households during the pandemic lockdown. Surveys used probabilistic samples, and we used data from April (n 833), May (n 850) and June 2020 (n 1674). Participants: Mexicans 18 years or older who had a mobile telephone. Results: ELCSA had an adequate model fit and food insecurity was associated, within each wave, with more poverty and anxiety. The COVID-19 lockdown was associated with an important reduction in food security, decreasing stepwise from 38·9 % in 2018 to 24·9 % in June 2020 in households with children. Conclusions: Telephone surveys were a feasible strategy to monitor reductions in food security during the COVID-19 lockdown.

scholarly journals Measurement lessons of a repeated cross-sectional household food insecurity survey during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Gaitan-Rossi ◽  
Mireya Vilar-Compte ◽  
Graciela Teruel ◽  
Rafael Perez-Escamilla
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mobile Telephone ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adequate Model ◽  
Household Food

Objective To validate the telephone modality of the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA) included in three waves of a phone survey to estimate the monthly household food insecurity (HFI) prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. Design We examined the reliability and internal validity of the ELCSA scale in three repeated waves of a cross-sectional surveys with Rasch models. We estimated the monthly prevalence of food insecurity in the general population and in households with and without children, and compared them with a national 2018 survey. We tested concurrent validity by testing associations of HFI with socioeconomic status and anxiety. Setting ENCOVID-19 is a monthly telephone cross-sectional survey collecting information on the well-being of Mexican households during the pandemic lockdown. Surveys used probabilistic samples and we used data from April (n=833), May (n=850), and June 2020 (n=1,674). Participants Mexicans 18 years or older who had a mobile telephone. Results ELCSA had adequate model fit and HFI was associated, within each wave, with more poverty and anxiety. The COVID-19 lockdown was associated with an important reduction in food security; decreasing stepwise from 38.9% in 2018 to 24.9% in June 2020 in households with children. Conclusions Telephone surveys are a feasible strategy to monitor food insecurity with ELCSA.

scholarly journals COVID-19, food security and maternal mental health in Ceará, Brazil: a repeated cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Hermano A. L. Rocha ◽  
Christopher R. Sudfeld ◽  
Álvaro J. M. Leite ◽  
Sabrina Gabrielle Maia Oliveira Rocha ◽  
Márcia M. T. Machado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
P Value ◽  
Paired Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Self Reporting Questionnaire ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Objective To quantify the change in the risk of food insecurity and maternal mental disorder (MMD) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design Repeated cross-sectional survey. Between July 17 and September 10, 2020, mother-child pairs who were enrolled in a population-based survey in 2017 were re-contacted by telephone for consent and to complete a telephonic COVID-19 survey. We used the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale to assess food security and the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) to assess maternal mental disorders. McNemar’s test for paired data that also accounted for clustering was used. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship of unemployment and receipt of government assistance with food insecurity and MMD in 2020. Setting Ceará, Brazil. Participants 577 mother-child pairs who completed the 2017 and 2020 surveys. At the time of the 2020 interview, the child cohort was 36-108 months of age. Results The proportion of mothers reporting food insecurity was 15.5% higher (95% CI: (5.9 – 25.1), p-value < 0.001) during the pandemic in July-August 2020 as compared to November 2017, while the prevalence of MMD was 40.2% higher during the pandemic (95% CI: 32.6 – 47.8, p-value < 0.001). Loss of formal employment was associated with increased risk of food insecurity, but not with the risk of MMD. Conclusions The risk of food insecurity and MMD in Ceará increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the need for policies and interventions to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and child health, nutrition, and well-being in Brazil.

scholarly journals The assessment of food security in homeless individuals: a comparison of the Food Security Survey Module and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 2254-2259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna C Holland ◽  
Matthew C Kennedy ◽  
Stephen W Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Homeless Population ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Food ◽  
The Us ◽  
Food Insecurity Access

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), the US Food Security Survey Module (US FSSM) and a modified version of the US FSSM in which references to buying food were changed to references to getting food, in terms of their classification of food security levels among homeless individuals, and to determine which of these instruments was most preferred by homeless individuals.DesignA cross-sectional survey.SettingRecruitment of participants took place at seven shelters and from three drop-in programmes that serve homeless individuals in Toronto, Canada.SubjectsFifty individuals who were ≥18 years of age, able to communicate in English and currently homeless.ResultsThe modified US FSSM assigned 20 % of participants to a lower ordinal food security category compared with the US FSSM, and only 8 % to a higher food security category. The HFIAS assigned 30 % of participants to a lower food security category compared with either the US FSSM or the modified US FSSM, and only 10–16 % of participants to a higher food security category. When asked to compare all three instruments, the majority of respondents (62 %) selected the HFIAS as the best instrument for people who are homeless.ConclusionsA majority of homeless individuals selected the HFIAS as the best food security instrument for people who are homeless. Our findings suggest that the HFIAS is a more appropriate instrument than the US FSSM for measuring food security in the homeless population.

scholarly journals Utilization of Post-Harvest Technologies for Improved Food Security: Case of Maize and Mangoes among Smallholder Farmers in Kerio Valley Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya

2021 ◽  
pp. 17-27
Author(s):  
L. Chepwambok ◽  
W. Adede ◽  
D. Bunyatta ◽  
V. K. Mugalavai ◽  
A. O. Onkware
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Processing Technologies ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Inappropriate Use

Limited availability of improved post-harvest technologies or inappropriate use of available technologies leads to spoilage of food resulting to post-harvest losses. The losses contribute to food insecurity in the sense that availability and accessibility of food will be limited. Adoption of post-harvest harvest technologies boosts the agricultural sector, and has been seen as a pathway out of poverty and food insecurity. The study assessed the utilization of post-harvest technologies among smallholder farmers in Kerio Valley Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya and their correlation to food security. The main objective of the study was to determine factors that influenced adoption of post-harvest technologies for both maize and mango among the farmers. A cross sectional survey was used to collect data using self-administered questionnaire and interview schedules on 217 respondents. There was a significant relationship between gender (r- .264, P<0.001), age(r=.350, P<.05), education level(r=.956, P<.001), income(r=656, P<.001) and extension services(r=.907, P<.001) and adoption of post-harvest technologies. Adoption and use of improved post-harvest and processing technologies need to be promoted to curb post-harvest losses thus improving food security. In addition, there is need for intense extension services on post-harvest technologies to enhance awareness and adoption.

scholarly journals Household access to traditional and indigenous foods positively associated with food security and dietary diversity in Botswana

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1200-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salome Nduku Kasimba ◽  
Boitumelo Stokie Motswagole ◽  
Namukolo Margaret Covic ◽  
Nicole Claasen
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Security And Nutrition ◽  
Indigenous Foods

AbstractObjectiveTo determine access to traditional and indigenous foods (TIF) and the association with household food security, dietary diversity and women’s BMI in low socio-economic households.DesignSequential explanatory mixed-methods design, including a random household cross-sectional survey on household food insecurity access (HFIA), household dietary diversity (HDD) and women’s BMI, followed by focus group discussions.SettingTwo rural and two urban areas of Botswana.SubjectsPersons responsible for food preparation or an adult in a household (n400); for BMI, non-pregnant women aged 18–49 years (n253).ResultsAlmost two-thirds of households experienced moderate or severe food insecurity (28·8 and 37·3 %, respectively), but more than half of women were overweight or obese (26·9 and 26·9 %, respectively). Median HDD score was 6 (interquartile range 5–7) out of a total of 12. A positive correlation was found between number of TIF accessed and HDD score (r=0·457;P<0·001) and a negative correlation between number of TIF accessed and HFIA score (r=−0·272;P<0·001). There was no correlation between number of TIF accessed and women’s BMI (r=−0·066;P=0·297). TIF were perceived as healthy but with declining consumption due to preference for modern foods.ConclusionsTIF may potentially have an important role in household food security and dietary diversity. There is need to explore potential benefits that may be associated with their optimal use on food security and nutrition outcomes.

scholarly journals Caregivers’ Knowledge and Food Accessibility Contributes to Childhood Malnutrition: A Case Study of Dora Nginza Hospital, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10691
Author(s):  
Pamela Clarke ◽  
Mthokozisi Kwazi Zuma ◽  
Ayuk Betrand Tambe ◽  
Liana Steenkamp ◽  
Xikombiso Gertrude Mbhenyane
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
The Body ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Household Food

Amongst the problems facing South Africa today are malnutrition and food insecurity, and there is a need for interventions and innovative strategies to address these. The aim of the study was to determine the contribution of caregivers’ knowledge of nutrition and household food security among children aged 0 to 60 months. A cross-sectional study design was applied using a quantitative approach. A convenience sample (n = 184) of caregiver–child pairs (for children 0 to 60 months) from the Dora Nginza Hospital Paediatric Outpatient Department was used. A structured questionnaire was applied to collect data on socio-economic factors, health status, household food security, and caregivers’ knowledge. In addition, interviews were conducted, and anthropometric measurements of children were taken to determine their nutritional status. The results indicate that most caregivers were female, and more than half completed high school, yet almost 75% were unemployed. Most of the caregivers (58.2%) were either overweight or obese. The results also show that only 33.2% of households were food secure, 29.3% were at risk of hunger, and 37.5% experienced hunger. The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting among children in the study was high. A significant, slightly positive correlation was found between the body mass index of the caregiver and height for age. Poor socio-economic status and food inaccessibility were identified as possible underlying contributing factors to malnutrition, contributing to food insecurity and therefore poor dietary intake.

scholarly journals Seasonal food insecurity and perceived social support in rural Tanzania

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 544-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Hadley ◽  
Monique Borgerhoff Mulder ◽  
Emily Fitzherbert
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Ethnic Group ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rural Tanzania

AbstractObjectivesTo examine whether the occurrence of seasonal food insecurity was related to ethnicity, household wealth and perceived social support, and to assess whether social support was more efficacious in protecting against food insecurity in wealthier households. Secondary objectives were to assess the association between past food insecurity, current dietary intake and perceived health.Design, setting and subjectsA sample of 208 randomly selected mothers from two ethnic groups living in the same villages in rural Tanzania participated in a cross-sectional survey.ResultsFood insecurity was highly prevalent in this area, particularly among the poorer ethnic group. Half of ethnically Sukuma households fell into the most food-secure category, compared with only 20% of ethnically Pimbwe households. Among both groups, measures of household wealth and social support were strongly associated with food security. Interestingly, social support appeared to be more effective among the wealthier ethnic group/community. Past food insecurity was also related to current indicators of dietary intake and women's self-perceptions of health.ConclusionGreater social support is associated with food security, suggesting that it may protect against the occurrence of seasonal food insecurity. Social support also interacts with wealth to offer greater protection against food insecurity, suggesting that increasing wealth at the community level may influence food insecurity through both direct and indirect means. Seasonal food insecurity also appears to have lasting effects that likely create and reinforce poverty.

scholarly journals Burden of food insecurity in older adults from diverse global settings: policy recommendations

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Pirkle ◽  
N Peltzer ◽  
S Câmara ◽  
J Gomes ◽  
A Ylli
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
International Mobility ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income

Abstract Food insecurity prevalence is highest in low and middle-income countries, yet there is a dearth of research on the burden in older adults in these settings. Food insecurity has long-term consequences for the health of older persons. We examined cross-sectional food security data from 1,482 participants in the 2016 wave of the longitudinal International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS) conducted in Canada, Albania, Colombia, and Brazil. These are community samples between 68 and 79 years. Food security was assessed with the Latin American and Caribbean Household Food Security Scale and recoded to yes/no. Covariates of interest included sex, site, income, living arrangement, and education. Descriptive statistics, with tests of statistical significance, were used. Responses to scale items varied from 10% of participants reporting worry about running out of food and being unable to eat healthy foods to 2% reporting not eating for a whole day or having to beg for food. Food insecurity in the sample was 17%. Few Canadian respondents (&lt;5%) were food insecure, compared to 30% in Tirana, 28% in Manizales, and 18% in Natal. Better educated and income sufficient respondents were significantly more food secure than lesser educated, lower income ones. Respondents living with spouses were significantly less likely to be food insecure than those living alone or in other arrangements (e.g. with children). The exception was Tirana; 25% of those in other arrangements were food insecure compared to 32% living with a spouse and 44% alone. Food insecurity did not differ significantly by age or sex. Site, income, living arrangement, and education were all associated with food insecurity status. Study findings contribute to a significant gap in literature about food security in older adults. Because food insecurity in older adults leads to negative health outcomes, results suggest specific interventions to improve health and reduce burden on healthcare systems is needed for elderly. Key messages Food insecurity has severe health consequences for elderly and location, income, education, and living arrangement contributes to health inequalities in this population across diverse settings. Little to no research has been done on food insecurity in elderly outside of North America and study findings contribute to significant gap in research in this population across global settings.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity and Associated Factors Among University Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Ukegbu ◽  
Blessing Nwofia ◽  
Uchechi Ndudiri ◽  
Nnenna Uwakwe ◽  
Ada Uwaegbute
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
University Students ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status

Background: Food insecurity is a growing public health issue and a barrier to students achieving adequate nutrition. Data regarding food insecurity among university students in Nigeria are scarce. Objective: The study assessed the prevalence of food insecurity and associated factors among university students, southeast Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 398 randomly selected students recruited from 2 universities in southeast Nigeria was conducted. Food security status was assessed using the 10-item US Household Food Security Scale Module. Anthropometric measurements and sociodemographic data were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with food insecurity. Results: A majority of the students were categorized as food insecure. Of this, about 35.7% and 45.0% were considered to have low and very low food insecurity, respectively. Food insecurity was significantly associated with monthly allowance, daily amount spent on food, and source of income. The odds of food insecurity was significantly higher for students whose fathers were farmers (4.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.453-14.737), but lower for those whose mothers were farmers (0.18, 95% CI: 0.059-0.564). Conclusion: The result provides an insight into the food security status of university students in Nigeria. The prevalence of food insecurity was high among the students. Therefore, further studies involving different urban and rural (and/or public and private) universities in Nigeria are suggested in order to have a deeper understanding of the magnitude and contributing factors among this population group.

scholarly journals Spanish adaptation and validation of the Child Food Security Survey Module (CFSSM-S)

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 2753-2761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nithya Shankar-Krishnan ◽  
Eva Penelo ◽  
Albert Fornieles Deu ◽  
David Sánchez-Carracedo
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Family Affluence

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to assess the: (i) internal structure of the Spanish Child Food Security Survey Module (CFSSM-S) with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA); (ii) measurement invariance by gender, grade, weight status, socio-economic status (SES) and family affluence; and (iii) relationships with these external variables.DesignA cross-sectional study was conducted. The CFSSM-S and other tools were employed to assess food insecurity, weight status, SES and family affluence, respectively.SettingA secondary school (grades 7–10) in the city of Terrassa in Catalonia, Spain.SubjectsParticipants included adolescent boys and girls (n426) aged 12–17 years.ResultsThe cross-validation design with EFA and CFA captured a single factor, ‘food insecurity’. The goodness-of-fit for the one-factor model with CFA (root-mean-square error of approximation=0·038, comparative fit index=0·984, Tucker–Lewis index=0·979) and internal consistency (ω=0·95) were excellent. The measurement invariance indicated that CFSSM-S could be used across genders, grades, weight status, SES and family affluence. Only mean differences for SES and family affluence were found which showed a linear trend, indicating higher CFSSM-S scores for participants with lower SES and family affluence. Of participants, 1·9 % experienced very low food security, 16·4 % low food security and 81·7 % were food secure.ConclusionsThe CFSSM-S is the first validated instrument to assess food insecurity with psychometric guarantees in Spanish adolescents. Researchers and health practitioners in Spain could use this self-reported questionnaire to gain more information about adolescent health in relation to food insecurity.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document