scholarly journals Food security and related health risk among adults in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 117 (11/12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hlekani V. Mbhatsani ◽  
Ngoako S. Mabapa ◽  
Tambe B. Ayuk ◽  
Tshifhiwa C. Mandiwana ◽  
Lindelani F. Mushaphi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable

Food insecurity, obesity and hypertension remain major public health issues related to nutrition in South Africa. The purpose of this study was to determine household food security and the health risk of the adult population in the Limpopo Province using cross-sectional designs. A stratified random sampling method was used to recruit adults aged 18 to 65 years in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Data were collected using a validated, structured questionnaire. All data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0. The study included 640 participants with an average age of 36.2±17.6 years and a household size of five persons; 74.5% of participants fell in the low monthly income bracket (≤ZAR3000). The mean dietary diversity score was 3.99 (CI: 2.79–5.19). The prevalence of food insecurity was 31.3%, obesity 35.2% and hypertension 32.3%. Being a woman, older and married significantly positively influenced obesity and hypertension. Also, a healthy eating lifestyle such as high dietary diversity was found to positively influence obesity status, while daily eating of fruit and vegetables positively significantly influenced the hypertension status of participants (p<0.05). Food insecurity, obesity and hypertension rates remain high among adults in the Limpopo Province of South Africa with consumption of a diet low in dietary variety. Aged and married women were more likely to be obese and hypertensive, while daily fruit and vegetable intake were found to be a protective factor. Educational and nutritional intervention should be designed and geared towards promoting fruit and vegetable intake in the community.

scholarly journals Measurement of Fruit and Vegetable Intake Using Skin Carotenoid Measures Among Individuals Receiving Aid from Food Pantries (P04-087-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Valentine ◽  
Rebecca Mount ◽  
Kathryn Wolff ◽  
Lisa Ousley ◽  
Emily Worm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Kansas City ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Food Pantries

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to understand food security and fruit/vegetable consumption among individuals receiving aid from food pantries and other food assistance agencies. Methods Across the US, 12.9% of people are affected by food insecurity1 and 5.5% of households report obtaining food from a food pantry2. Similarly, food insecurity affects 12.9% of the population in Kansas and 14.7% in Missouri1. After the Harvest is a nonprofit organization that helps address food insecurity by rescuing fruits and vegetables from going to waste and donating them to agencies that serve hungry people in the Kansas City metropolitan area. As part of a larger evaluation of the After the Harvest program, intercept surveys with individuals receiving aid from food pantries and other food assistance agencies were conducted at selected locations in the Kansas City area. In each survey, a demographic questionnaire and a Dietary Screener Questionnaire were administered. Food insecurity was screened using two items derived from the USDA's Food Security Survey Module. Additionally, skin carotenoids were measured using the Veggie Meter™ as a biomarker of fruit and vegetable intake. Results A total of 57 food agency clients participated in the study. About 67% of the clients indicated that within the past 12 months, they had worried about their food running out before having money to buy more. Additionally, 74% reported that the food they bought didn't last and they didn't have money to buy more. On average, the food agency clients reported eating 1 cup of fruit per day and 1.4 cups of vegetables per day, which fell far below recommendations set by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Similarly, they had a Veggie Meter™ score of 175 ± 77, indicating a very low level of fruit and vegetable intake. Conclusions Food agency clients were food insecure and had very low fruit and vegetable intakes. Efforts to increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetable donations at food assistance agencies may represent an opportunity to improve the diets among clientele. Funding Sources The Hall Family Foundation.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Smallholder Irrigation and Household Food Availability and Dietary Diversity in Greater Tzaneen Municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thinah Moyo ◽  
Charles L. Machethe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Availability ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Household Food Availability ◽  
Smallholder Irrigation

Irrigation farming has the potential to address household food security challenges in developing countries. This paper examines household food availability, consumption and dietary diversity for irrigating and non-irrigating households in Greater Tzaneen municipality of Limpopo Province of South Africa. The paper uses primary data collected from 180 households comprising of irrigation scheme irrigators, independent (non-scheme) irrigators, and non-irrigating households. Data analysis employed descriptive analysis and analysis of variance to compare food security components of the different types of households. Results provide sufficient evidence that smallholder irrigation farming contributes significantly to household food security through improved food availability and dietary diversity. However, since most households are net food buyers, it is essential to have policies that are formulated with an understanding that household food security is not only a function of the food that farming households produce for their own consumption but more so a function of total household income. The results inform agrarian reform debates on whether South Africa should continue investing in smallholder irrigation farming for improved household welfare. An integration of smallholder irrigation farming in strategies for growing the rural economy and contributing to improved livelihoods and poverty reduction is, therefore, recommended.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Food Security Status and Fruit and Vegetable Intake during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 712
Author(s):  
Michelle M. Litton ◽  
Alyssa W. Beavers
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
High Price ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Poor Diet ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
The Relationship

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has drastically altered food shopping behaviors, and the resulting economic recession has caused a spike in food insecurity. Since food insecurity is associated with poor diet, especially low intake of fruits and vegetables, food-insecure individuals may disproportionately experience negative health impacts related to poor diet during the pandemic. To assess the relationship between food security status and fruit and vegetable intake during the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted an online survey of adult residents of the US state of Michigan in June of 2020. Among the 484 survey respondents, 36.2% were classified as food-insecure. Food-insecure respondents consumed fruits and vegetables fewer times per day than food-secure respondents and were more likely to report decreasing their consumption of any type of fruits and vegetables (total, fresh, frozen, and canned) since the pandemic started. For those who reduced their purchase of fresh fruit and vegetable, reasons included poor quality, poor availability, high price, reduced store trips, and concerns of contamination. These findings highlight the need for adequate food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic and in future pandemics, as well as public health messages that promote healthy eating.

scholarly journals Household Food Security Status and Its Determinants in Maphumulo Local Municipality, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Primrose Ngema ◽  
Melusi Sibanda ◽  
Lovemore Musemwa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Security Status

Food security at the household level remains a major issue in South Africa and for many other developing countries, particularly those in Africa. As a means of ensuring food security in KwaZulu-Natal province, various food security intervention programmes were launched. Nonetheless, food security remains an issue among households in the province. This paper estimates the household food security status of the “One Home One Garden” (OHOG) beneficiaries against that of non-beneficiaries and assesses the determinants of household food security status in Maphumulo. A stratified random sampling technique was used to sample 495 households (including 330 OHOG beneficiaries and 165 non-beneficiaries). The status of household food security was estimated by means of a “Household Dietary Diversity Score” (HDDS). Additionally, a Household Food Consumption Score” (HFCS) tool was employed to supplement the HDDS. The results showed that food consumption patterns were characterized by medium (4.89) and average (4.22) HDDS for the OHOG beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries, respectively. Taking HDDS as a proxy for household food security, an independent samples t-test (Levene’s test—equal variances assumed) reveals a significant (p < 0.001) relationship between the sample means of the two groups. A greater proportion (65%) of the OHOG beneficiaries had an acceptable (≥35) HFCS level, whereas just over half (54%) of the non-beneficiaries fell in the borderline (21.5 to 35) HFCS level. The determinants of household food security status were elicited by means of a binary logistic regression model. The results revealed that education (p = 0.036), receiving infrastructural support (irrigation) (p = 0.001), and participation in the OHOG programme (p = 0.000) positively influenced the food security status of households, yet household income (p = 0.000) and access to credit (p = 0.002) showed a negative correlation. This paper proposes that government and developmental agencies, in their efforts to enhance food security through food security intervention programmes, should support households by investing in education and agricultural infrastructure, as well as giving priority to smallholder infrastructural irrigation support for households that largely rely on rain-fed systems.

scholarly journals The Impact of a Community Fruit and Vegetable Voucher Program (Vouchers 4 Veggies) on Improvements in Dietary Intake and Food Security (P04-013-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Jennings ◽  
Sanjana Marpadga ◽  
Cissie Bonini ◽  
Melissa Akers ◽  
Ronli Levi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Health Perception ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Voucher Program ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Vouchers 4 Veggies (V4V) is a transformative healthy food voucher program aimed at increasing access to and affordability of healthy food in the most vulnerable communities. Between 2015–2018, over 2600 ethnically diverse low-income individuals were enrolled in the program with the goal to increase their fruit and vegetable intake, improve food security status and change health perception. Methods V4V partners with local community-based organizations and clinics that serve as voucher distribution sites as well as neighborhoods stores, grocery stores, and famer's markets where participants can redeem their vouchers. Participants receive $20-$40 worth of vouchers per month for 6 months. Data for this evaluation were collected using pre- and post- surveys (at 0 and 4–6 months) that included a validated fruit and vegetable intake screener, the USDA 7-item food security screener, demographic questions and health perception questions. Results Data from 862 matched surveys indicate that mean fruit and vegetable intake increased from 2.49 to 3.52 servings daily, corresponding to a 1.03 servings increase after six months in the program (0.89,1.77; P < .001). In addition, V4V participants’ food security scores improved, decreasing 0.88 points (−1.07, −0.71; P < 0.001) on a 6 point scale (0 being the most food secure and 6 being very food insecure), from a mean of 5.53 to 4.65 using the USDA validated 6-item scale. When stratified by race, food security improved significantly for all major racial groups except Black/African Americans. Finally, participants reported a statistically significant improvement in self-reported health status (P < 0.001), with a 14% change in status from poor/fair health to good/very good/excellent health. Conclusions This evaluation suggests that a modest supplement for fruits and vegetables may be able to improve dietary intake, support food security, and improve health perception among vulnerable residents of San Francisco. More research is needed to understand differences in maintaining long-term health and behavior changes among program participants. Funding Sources V4V received funding from the SF Department of Public Health, Hellman Foundation, AARP Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente Community Benefits Program.

scholarly journals Relationships Between Food Security, Fruit and Vegetable Availability, and Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Elementary Children and Their Parents

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 285-285
Author(s):  
Michaela Sossamon ◽  
Derek Miketinas
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Elementary Children ◽  
Fruit Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
School Garden ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fruit Availability ◽  
At Home

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this cross-sectional analysis is to explore baseline findings on the relationships between food security, fruit and vegetable availability, and fruit and vegetable intake in elementary children and their parents before the start of a school-garden program. Methods Third-grade students (n = 154) and their parents were recruited from a Texas elementary school that participates in a school-garden program. Prior to the start of the program, student participants along with one of their parents completed the National Cancer Institute's All-Day Screener to assess fruit, juice, and vegetable intake. Parent participants also completed other validated questionnaires to assess home availability of fruits and vegetables and food security. Regression and ANOVA were used to examine the relationships between food security, fruit and vegetable availability at home, and fruit and vegetable intake in parent and student participants. Results A total of 64 students provided consent, and 39 students (∼58% female), each with one parent (∼97% female), completed the questionnaires. Parents who reported low food security had significantly greater total fruit and vegetable intake (4.7 servings/day) along with their children (6.0 servings/day) compared with parents (2.8 servings/day) and children (3.3 servings/day) with high food security. Fruit availability at home was positively correlated with fruit intake in parents (β = 0.18; P = .0261; R2 = 0.13; ) but not children (P = .8931). No significant associations were found between vegetable availability and vegetable intake in student or parent participants. Conclusions These baseline findings indicate greater fruit and vegetable intake for children and parents with low food security, which may be due to differences in fruit intake rather than vegetable intake. Although greater fruit intake was associated with fruit availability in the home for parents, this association was not observed for children. Funding Sources None.

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