Competing Discourses of Household Food Insecurity in Canada

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsofia Mendly-Zambo ◽  
Dennis Raphael
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Community Gardens ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Feeding Programs ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Access To Food

Household food insecurity (HFI) impacts over 1.7 million households in Canada with adverse effects upon health. As a signatory to numerous international covenants asserting that access to food is a human right, Canadian governments are obliged to reduce HFI, yet Canadian governments have done remarkably little to assure that Canadians are food secure. In the absence of government action, HFI has spawned numerous non-governmental means of managing the problem such as food banks, feeding programs, and community gardens and kitchens. These efforts have depoliticized the problem of HFI, making its solution more difficult. Solving HFI is also complicated by the presence of five competing discourses of HFI in Canada: nutrition and dietetics, charitable food distribution, community development, social determinants of health, and political economy which offer differing causes and means of responding to HFI. We argue that the least considered discourse – the critical materialist political economy discourse – best accounts for the presence of HFI in a liberal welfare state such as Canada and provides the most effective means of responding to its presence.

scholarly journals Civil Society and Residents’ Coping Strategies with Water Shortages and Household Food Insecurity in Gweru, Zimbabwe

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winmore Kusena ◽  
Heinz Beckedahl ◽  
Sumaiya Desai
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Community Gardens ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Water Shortages ◽  
Household Food

<p>Domestic water shortages are distressing many urban areas in developing countries and require well planned and sustainable coping strategies in order to bequeath citizens decent lives. The objectives of this paper were to identify water related civil society groups present in Gweru; reveal devised coping strategies to combat water shortages and household food insecurity; and challenges faced by civil society and residents in obtaining sustainable coping strategies. A survey was conducted through interviews, questionnaires and observations as data collection instruments. The findings show that residents relied on borehole drilled in their respective areas by the municipality, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and through individual initiatives. Although public boreholes were available, they were found at an average of only two in a given residential area, regardless of its population. Residents also collected water in containers during late hours of the night or early hours of the day. Gweru residents in addition devised strategies to cope with household food insecurity caused by water shortages and high monthly water bills. Combined with the aforementioned water shortage coping strategies, the stratagem by residents included coming up with payment plans, denying city personnel access into their premises for water disconnection; and self-reconnection in the event of disconnection. Community gardens initiated by Non-Governmental Organisations and food imports from neighbouring countries were some of the adaptive mechanisms dealing with household food insecurity. However, despite resolute efforts by civil society and residents to muddle through water supply and food security challenges, the city needs financial aid to enhance service provision that does not solely relying on residents. Financial injection and investment in sustainable alternative water sources for the city’s multiple uses will go a long way in solving the water shortages and food insecurity without further exposing citizens.  </p>

scholarly journals 1102. Food Insecurity and Reported History of Cholera in Haitian Households: An Analysis of the 2012 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS)

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S330-S331
Author(s):  
Aaron Richterman ◽  
Molly F Franke ◽  
Louise C Ivers
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Demographic And Health Survey ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Household Food ◽  
History Of ◽  
Access To Food ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Food insecurity is defined as a lack of consistent access to food in adequate quantity or quality. Both cholera and food insecurity tend to occur in impoverished communities where poor access to food, inadequate sanitation, and an unsafe water supply often coexist. The relationship between the two, however, has not been previously studied. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of household-level data from the 2012 Demographic and Health Survey in Haiti, a nationally and subnationally representative cross-sectional household survey conducted every 5 years. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the relationship between household food insecurity (as measured by the Household Hunger Scale) and (1) reported history of cholera since 2010 by any person in the household and (2) reported death by any person in the household from cholera. We used survey commands to apply sampling probability weights and account for clustering and stratification in sample design. We performed a complete case analysis because there were no missing data on household food insecurity or cholera and &lt;1% for the other covariates of interest. Results There were 13,181 households in the survey, 2,104 of which reported at least one household member with history of cholera. Both moderate hunger in the household [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27–1.71; P &lt; 0.0001] and severe hunger in the household (AOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.42–2.05; P &lt; 0.0001) were significantly associated with reported history of cholera in the household after controlling for urban setting, household size, wealth index, water source, time to water source, latrine, and housing materials. Severe hunger in the household (AOR 2.81, 95% CI 1.58–5.00; P = 0.0005), but not moderate hunger in the household, was independently associated with reported death from cholera in the household. Conclusion This is the first study to identify an independent relationship between household food insecurity and reported history of cholera and death from cholera. The directionality of this relationship is uncertain and should be further explored in future prospective research. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on child malnutrition, obesity in women and household food insecurity in underserved urban settlements in Sri Lanka: a prospective follow up study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Renuka Jayatissa ◽  
Himali Herath ◽  
Amila Gayan Perera ◽  
Thulasika Thejani Dayaratne ◽  
Nawmali Dhanuska De Alwis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Child Malnutrition ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Urban Settlements

Abstract Objectives: To determine changes and factors associated with child malnutrition, obesity in women and household food insecurity before and after the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Design: A prospective follow up study. Setting: In 2019, the baseline Urban Health and Nutrition Study (UHNS-2019) was conducted in 603 households, which were selected randomly from 30 clusters to represent underserved urban settlements in Colombo. In the present study, 35% of households from the UHNS-2019 cohort were randomly selected for repeat interviews, one year after the baseline study and 6 months after COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka. Height/length and weight of children and women were re-measured, household food insecurity was reassessed, and associated factors were gathered through interviewer administered questionnaires. Differences in measurements at baseline and follow-up studies were compared. Participants: A total of 207 households, comprising 127 women and 109 children were included. Results: The current prevalence of children with wasting and overweight was higher in the follow-up study than at baseline UHNS-2019 (18.3%vs13.7%;p=0.26 and 8.3%vs3.7%;p=0.12 respectively). There was a decrease in prevalence of child stunting (14.7%vs11.9%;p=0.37). A change was not observed in overall obesity in women, which was around 30.7%. Repeated lockdown was associated with a significant reduction in food security from 57% in UHNS-2019 to 30% in the current study (p<0.001). Conclusions: There was an increase in wasting and overweight among children while women had a persistent high prevalence of obesity. This population needs suitable interventions to improve nutrition status of children and women to minimise susceptibility to COVID-19.

scholarly journals Household food insecurity and health in a high migration area in rural Honduras

2021 ◽  
pp. 100885
Author(s):  
Sanjeev Kumar ◽  
Nicholas A. Christakis ◽  
Rafael Pérez-Escamilla
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Household Food ◽  
High Migration

scholarly journals Illicit Drug Use in Canada and Implications for Suicidal Behaviors, and Household Food Insecurity: Findings from a Large, Nationally Representative Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6425
Author(s):  
Nicola Luigi Bragazzi ◽  
Dan Beamish ◽  
Jude Dzevela Kong ◽  
Jianhong Wu
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Suicidal Attempts ◽  
Nationally Representative

Background and Aims: Illicit drug use is an ongoing health and social issue in Canada. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of illicit drug use and its implications for suicidal behaviors, and household food insecurity in Canada. Design: Cross-sectional population survey. Setting: Canada, using the 2015–2016 Canadian Community Health Survey, a nationally representative sample selected by stratified multi-stage probability sampling. Participants: A total of 106,850 respondents aged ≥ 12 years who had completed information on illicit drug use. Measurements: Illicit drug use was assessed through a series of questions about illicit drug use methods. Respondents who reported lifetime illicit drug use but no past-year use were considered to have prior illicit drug use. In this survey, illicit drug use included cannabis use. Findings: Overall, the prevalence of lifetime, past-year, and prior illicit drug use was 33.2% (9.8 million), 10.4% (3.1 million), and 22.7% (6.7 million), respectively. In models adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, prior illicit drug use was significantly associated with increased odds of past-year suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.21, 95% CI 1.04–1.40), and plans (1.48, 1.15–1.91), and past-year household food insecurity (1.27, 1.14–1.41), and the odds were much higher among prior injecting drug users than prior non-injecting drug users. No significant correlation was found between prior illicit drug use and past-year suicidal attempts, but there was a strong association between past-year illicit drug use and past-year suicidal attempts. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that even after people have stopped taking illicit drugs, prior illicit drug use, especially for prior injecting drug use, continues to be associated with increased risks of subsequent suicidal ideation, and plans, and household food insecurity.

scholarly journals A Food Insecurity Systematic Review: Experience from Malaysia

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 945
Author(s):  
Norhasmah Sulaiman ◽  
Heather Yeatman ◽  
Joanna Russell ◽  
Leh Shii Law
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Welfare Recipient ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Household Food

Living free from hunger is a basic human right. However, some communities still experience household food insecurity. This systematic literature review explored different aspects of household food insecurity in Malaysia including vulnerable groups, prevalence, risk factors, coping strategies, and the consequences of food insecurity. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Thirty-three relevant articles were selected from scientific databases such as CINAHL, Pubmed and Google Scholar, scrutiny of reference lists, and personal communication with experts in the field. The prevalence of household food insecurity in Malaysia was unexpectedly reported as high, with affected groups including Orang Asli, low-income household/welfare-recipient households, university students, and the elderly. Demographic risk factors and socioeconomic characteristics included larger household, living in poverty, and low education. Coping strategies were practices to increase the accessibility of food in their households. Consequences of household food insecurity included psychological, dietary (macro- and micronutrient intakes), nutritional status, and health impacts. In conclusion, this review confirmed that household food insecurity in Malaysia continues to exist. Nevertheless, extensive and active investigations are encouraged to obtain a more holistic and comprehensive picture pertaining to household food security in Malaysia.

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