scholarly journals Prevalence and Socioeconomic inequalities trends in child health comparing within and between group inequalities: Food insecurity and malnutrition in Zimbabwe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akim Tafadzwa Lukwa ◽  
Aggrey Siya ◽  
Karen Nelwin Zablon ◽  
James Azam ◽  
Olufunke A. Alaba
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequality ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequalities ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Concentration Indices ◽  
Geographical Clusters

Abstract BackgroundGlobally nations are advocating for universal health coverage which argues for health access for all however, inequalities in child health remain a threat to this global initiative. Even though malnutrition and food insecurity are now dominating the global development agenda, there are substantial gaps on literature about patterns and trends of socioeconomic inequalities in food insecurity and malnutrition in many developing countries. Globally an estimated 3.1 million children die annually as a result of undernutrition, shockingly sub-Saharan Africa accounts for majority of the most nutritionally insecure and food insecure children in the world. In previous decades’ prevalence of stunting in Zimbabwe has been erratic. This paper assessed socioeconomic inequalities in child health focusing on malnutrition and food insecurity in Zimbabwe.MethodsThe study used Demographic Health Survey (DHS) data sets of 2010\11 and 2015. Food insecurity in children was determined based on the WHO dietary diversity score. The study adopted the WHO dietary diversity score informed by the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices. Minimum dietary diversity as an indicator for food security is defined by a cut- off point of >4, therefore for this study children with less than 3 of the 13 food groups were defined as food insecure. Malnutrition was assessed using weight-for-age Z-scores, with children whose weight-for-age Z-score below minus two standard deviations (-2 SD) from the median considered malnourished. Concentration indices were computed to understand if malnutrition was dominant among the poor or rich. The paper used the Theil index, which is a generalized entropy measure and decomposed the indices by population subgroups (geographical clusters and socioeconomic status) so as to separate total inequality in the distribution between the selected groups and remaining within-group inequalities.ResultsFor the period under review malnutrition prevalence increased by 1.03 percentage points (p.p) [2010/11(3.73%); 2015(4.76%)], while food insecurity prevalence decreased by 4.35p.p [2010/11(78.29%);2015(73.94)]. Prevalence of malnutrition and food insecurity increased by; 9.6p.p and 2p.p among poor children & 10.23p.p and 0.5p.p among rural children. Concentration indices showed that; children from wealthy households were more likely to be food secure (pro-rich) while, children from poor households were more likely to be nutritious (pro-poor). For nutrition status socioeconomic inequality gaps appear to be widening as the concentration indices between the two time periods increased, while for food security status socioeconomic inequality gaps appear to be contracting as the concentration indices between the two time periods reduced. Decomposed Theil indices by geographical clusters (urban & rural) for; food security status shows contracting socioeconomic inequality gaps in both geographical clusters (urban & rural), while for nutrition status the Theil indices reflect widening socioeconomic inequality gaps among urban children and contracting socioeconomic inequality gaps among rural children.ConclusionThe study concluded within-group inequalities to be driving most of the socioeconomic inequalities in nutritional status and food security status of children in Zimbabwe. Therefore, Zimbabwean government should design policies that focus on addressing within-group inequalities and direct food security interventions for food insecure children through availing food aid.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Socioeconomic inequalities trends in child health comparing within and between group inequalities: Food insecurity and malnutrition in Zimbabwe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akim Tafadzwa Lukwa ◽  
Aggrey Siya ◽  
Karen Nelwin Zablon ◽  
James Azam ◽  
Olufunke A. Alaba
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequality ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequalities ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Poor Households ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Concentration Indices

Abstract BackgroundInequalities in child health remain a threat to this global efforts to achieve universal health coverage. We assessed socioeconomic inequalities in child health focusing on malnutrition and food insecurity in Zimbabwe.MethodsWe used Demographic Health Survey (DHS) data sets of 2010\11 and 2015. Food insecurity in children was determined based on the WHO dietary diversity score. Minimum dietary diversity was defined by a cut- off point of >4 therefore, in this study children with less than 3 of the 13 food groups were defined as food insecure. Malnutrition was assessed using weight for age Z-score, with children whose weight-for-age Z-score below minus two standard deviations (-2 SD) from the median considered malnourished. Concentration indices were computed to understand if malnutrition was dominant among the poor or rich. The study used the Theil index and decomposed the index by population subgroups (geographical clusters and socioeconomic status).ResultsOver the study period, malnutrition prevalence increased by 1.03 percentage points (p.p) [2010/11(3.73%); 2015(4.76%)], while food insecurity prevalence decreased by 4.35p.p [2010/11(78.29%);2015(73.94)]. Prevalence of malnutrition and food insecurity increased by; 9.6p.p and 2p.p among poor children & 10.23p.p and 0.5p.p among rural children. Children from wealthy households were more likely to be food secure and children from poor households were more likely to be nutritious. For nutrition status, socioeconomic inequality gaps appeared to be widening as the concentration indices between the two time periods increased, while for food security status socioeconomic inequality gaps appeared to be contracting as the concentration indices between the two time periods reduced. Food security status showed contracting socioeconomic inequality gaps in both geographical clusters (urban & rural), while for nutrition status there were widening socioeconomic inequality gaps among urban children and contracting socioeconomic inequality gaps among rural children.ConclusionWithin-group inequalities are driving most of the socioeconomic inequalities in nutritional status and food security status among children in Zimbabwe. There is need for policies that focus on addressing within-group inequalities and direct food security interventions for food insecure children through availing food aid parcels especially for children from poor households irrespective of where they reside.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic inequalities trends in child health comparing within and between group inequalities: Food insecurity and malnutrition in Zimbabwe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akim Tafadzwa Lukwa ◽  
Aggrey Siya ◽  
Karen Nelwin Zablon ◽  
James Azam ◽  
Olufunke A. Alaba
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequality ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequalities ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Weight For Age

Abstract Background Food insecurity and malnutrition in children are pervasive public health concerns in Zimbabwe. Several studies previously done, only identified determinants of food insecurity and malnutrition with very little efforts have been done in assessing related inequalities and decomposing the inequalities across household characteristics in Zimbabwe. This study explored socioeconomic inequalities trends in child health using the decomposition approach to compare within and between group inequalities. Methods The study used Demographic Health Survey (DHS) data sets of 2010\11 and 2015. Food insecurity in children was determined based on the WHO dietary diversity score. Minimum dietary diversity was defined by a cut- off point of >4 therefore, in this study children with less than 3 of the 13 food groups were defined as food insecure. Malnutrition was assessed using weight for age Z-score, with children whose weight-for-age Z-score below minus two standard deviations (-2 SD) from the median considered malnourished. Concentration indices were computed to understand if malnutrition was dominant among the poor or rich. The study used the Theil index and decomposed the index by population subgroups (geographical clusters and socioeconomic status). Results Over the study period, malnutrition prevalence increased by 1.03 percentage points (p.p), while food insecurity prevalence decreased by 4.35p.p. Prevalence of malnutrition and food insecurity increased among poor rural children. Theil indices for nutrition status show socioeconomic inequality gaps to have widened, while food security status socioeconomic inequality gaps contracted for the period under review. Conclusion: Within-group inequalities are driving most of the socioeconomic inequalities in nutritional status and food security status among children in Zimbabwe. To address the socioeconomic inequalities, there is need to tackle the four pillars (availability, accessibility, utilization and stability of food supply) of food and nutrition security.

Gaps in food security, food consumption and malnutrition in households residing along the baobab belt in Kenya

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 1099-1112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorah Kwamboka Momanyi ◽  
Willis O. Owino ◽  
Anselimo Makokha ◽  
Esther Evang ◽  
Habte Tsige ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Consumption Patterns ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Security Status

PurposeThis paper aims to describe food insecurity status, food consumption patterns of households and nutritional status of families residing along the baobab belt in Kitui and Kilifi counties of Kenya. It also explores associations between these and household socio-demographic characteristics.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study design was performed with a sample of 216 caregiver/child pairs interviewed. Tablet-based semi-structured questions were used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics of children (6-13 years) and caregivers. Food insecurity status was assessed using the household food insecurity experience scale. Information on food consumption was obtained from qualitative 24-h recall as a basis for calculating a household dietary diversity score. Data were also obtained from a non-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements of children and caregivers’ height and weight were taken to assess their nutritional status. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 24 and WHO AnthroPlus 1.0.4.FindingsThe majority (98.2 per cent) of the households were food insecurity despite 81.5 and 57.4 per cent in Kitui and Kilifi counties, respectively, owning baobab trees. About 32.1 per cent of the households had poor dietary diversity scores (< 4). The prevalence of stunting (28.6 per cent), wasting (11.6 per cent) and underweight (25 per cent) rates among children were high. A significant association was observed between the children stunting rates with their age (p= 0.027), and also with household’s food security status (p< 0.001). Of the caregivers, 14.8 per cent were underweight, 18.1 per cent were overweight and 8.8 per cent were obese. There was significant association between the nutrition status of the caregivers and gender of the children (p< 0.001) and also with stunting rates of children (p= 0.047).Originality/valueThe study provides data on the current food security status and food consumption patterns of households and nutritional status of families residing along the baobab belt in Kenya which are mostly areas of marginal agricultural potential. The findings indicate a need for appropriate dietary improvements.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic inequalities in food insecurity and malnutrition among under-five children: within and between-group inequalities in Zimbabwe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akim Tafadzwa Lukwa ◽  
Aggrey Siya ◽  
Karen Nelwin Zablon ◽  
James Azam ◽  
Olufunke A. Alaba
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequality ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequalities ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Under Five Children ◽  
Percentage Points ◽  
Weight For Age

Abstract BackgroundFood insecurity and malnutrition in children are pervasive public health concerns in Zimbabwe. Previous studies only identified determinants of food insecurity and malnutrition with very little efforts done in assessing related inequalities and decomposing the inequalities across household characteristics in Zimbabwe. This study explored socioeconomic inequalities trend in child health using regression decomposition approach to compare within and between group inequalities.MethodsThe study used Demographic Health Survey (DHS) data sets of 2010\11 and 2015. Food insecurity in under-five children was determined based on the WHO dietary diversity score. Minimum dietary diversity was defined by a cut- off point of >4 therefore, children with less than 3 of the 13 food groups were defined as food insecure. Malnutrition was assessed using weight for age (both acute and chronic under-nutrition) Z-scores. Children whose weight-for-age Z-score below minus two standard deviations (-2 SD) from the median were considered malnourished. Concentration curves and indices were computed to understand if malnutrition was dominant among the poor or rich. The study used the Theil index and decomposed the index by population subgroups (place of residence and socioeconomic status).ResultsOver the study period, malnutrition prevalence increased by 1.03 percentage points, while food insecurity prevalence decreased by 4.35 percentage points. Prevalence of malnutrition and food insecurity increased among poor rural children. Theil indices for nutrition status showed socioeconomic inequality gaps to have widened, while food security status socioeconomic inequality gaps contracted for the period under review.ConclusionThe study concluded that unequal distribution of household wealth and residence status played critical roles in driving socioeconomic inequalities in child food insecurity and malnutrition. Therefore, child food insecurity and malnutrition are greatly influenced by where a child lives (rural/urban) and parental wealth.

scholarly journals Dietary diversity and food security status among heart failure patients in the north of Iran

BMC Nutrition ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjan Mahdavi-Roshan ◽  
Azin Vakilpour ◽  
Seyed Mehdi Mousavi ◽  
Asieh Ashouri
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Total Cholesterol Level ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Supplement Use ◽  
The North ◽  
Food Security Status

Abstract Background Dietary diversity score (DDS) is an indicator for assessing nutritional adequacy. Food security is another important measure in nutrition field which can be associated with several cardiovascular risk factors. Considering the importance of nutrition in heart failure (HF) patients, this study was designed to evaluate the DDS and food security of patients with HF. Methods A total of 200 HF patients were enrolled. DDS was evaluated using valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire and was calculated by scoring food intakes as 5 main groups. Household food insecurity access scale was applied to assess food security status. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests and multiple logistic regression models. Results The mean age of patients was 65 (standard deviation: 12) years and 59% of patients were male. Median of DDS was 1.96 (range: 0.29 to 6.12). Adjusted odds of greater DDS (> = median of 2) was 2.58 times higher for patients without hypertension than for patients with hypertension (95%CI: 1.31–5.08, P = 0.006). Also, odds of greater DDS were more in ex-smokers’ patients when compared to non-smokers (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.70, 95%CI: 1.27–5.75, P = 0.010), patients with supplement use (AOR: 2.42, 95%CI: 1.16–5.05, P = 0.019), patients with lower total cholesterol level (AOR: 1.01, 95%CI: 1.00–1.02, P = 0.051), and patients with higher ejection fraction (AOR: 1.03, 95%CI: 1.00–1.05, with borderline. P = 0.073). About 57% of patients had experienced degrees of food insecurity as mild (26%), moderate (16%) and severe (15%). On the other hand, women (AOR: 1.90, 95%CI: 0.90–3.71, with borderline P = 0.061) and patients with middle (AOR: 3.48, 95%CI: 1.79–6.76, P < 0.001) or high (AOR: 20.32, 95%CI: 2.56–161.19, P = 0.004) socio-economic status were more likely to be food secure or mild insecure. Also, no relation between DDS and food security was found (r = − 0.08, P = 0.262). Conclusion This study found that HF patients had a low DDS and more than half of the patients were food insecure to some extents.

scholarly journals IS THERE AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN FOOD INSECURITY AND DIETARY DIVERSITY AMONG SENIORS IN LUBBOCK?

2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
W.H. Oldewage-Theron ◽  
B.A.Z. Abu
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Security Status

Objectives: To determine household food insecurity and dietary diversity (DD) among seniors in Lubbock, Texas and examine the relationships between food security status and DD. Design: Cross-sectional study design. Setting: Lubbock, Texas. Participants: 200 seniors (≥ 50 years) randomly selected from seven senior centers and Meals on Wheels. Measurements: Socio-demographic and economic questionnaire, the validated Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) for food security and coping strategies, the validated DD scale for measuring the minimum DD for women (MDD-W), and weight and height measurements. P<0.05 considered significant was used for all statistical analyses. Results: The majority of the respondents (59.8%) were categorized as food secure. No significant relationships were observed between DD and HFIAS. The linear regression analysis carried out on the socio-demographic predictors of food security showed that age, household income and money spent on food per month were predictors of food security (R2= 0.233; p<0.000; SEE=4.462). The number of people in the household was the only predictor for DD score (R2= 0.028; p<0.000; SEE=1.929). Conclusions: This study showed a serious problem of household food insecurity among seniors in Lubbock, Texas affecting 40% of seniors. The results provide some of the first insights into seniors’ food security status and DD. No relationship could be established between food security status and DD in this study. Only household size was a predictor for DD in this study and further research is needed to determine quantity of dietary intakes and factors influencing the dietary patterns.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity and Not Dietary Diversity Is a Predictor of Nutrition Status in Children within Semiarid Agro-Ecological Zones in Eastern Kenya

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zipporah N. Bukania ◽  
Moses Mwangi ◽  
Robert M. Karanja ◽  
Richard Mutisya ◽  
Yeri Kombe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Agroecological Zones ◽  
Nutritional Status Of Children

Machakos and Makueni counties in Kenya are associated with historical land degradation, climate change, and food insecurity. Both counties lie in lower midland (LM) lower humidity to semiarid (LM4), and semiarid (LM5) agroecological zones (AEZ). We assessed food security, dietary diversity, and nutritional status of children and women.Materials and Methods.A total of 277 woman-child pairs aged 15–46 years and 6–36 months respectively, were recruited from farmer households. Food security and dietary diversity were assessed using standard tools. Weight and height, or length in children, were used for computation of nutritional status.Findings.No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in food security and dietary diversity score (DDS) between LM4 and LM5. Stunting, wasting, and underweight levels among children in LM4 and LM5 were comparable as were BMI scores among women. However, significant associations (P=0.023) were found between severe food insecurity and nutritional status of children but not of their caregivers. Stunting was significantly higher in older children (>2 years) and among children whose caregivers were older.Conclusion. Differences in AEZ may not affect dietary diversity and nutritional status of farmer households. Consequently use of DDS may lead to underestimation of food insecurity in semiarid settings.

Food insecurity among college students in West Texas

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
pp. 738-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda Abu ◽  
Wilna Oldewage-Theron
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Meal Planning ◽  
Texas Tech University

Purpose Food insecurity is an evolving nutrition issue affecting both developed and underdeveloped college campuses. The purpose of this paper is to assess food insecurity and related coping strategies among Texas Tech University students. Design/methodology/approach This was a cross-sectional online survey in Lubbock, Texas, among college students (n=173). The outcome measures, socio-demographic factors, household food insecurity access) and dietary diversity were assessed using validated tools. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. Socio-demographic differences in food security status were examined using χ2, and means testing. Risks of student food insecurity were assessed using odds ratios (ORs). Findings Respondents were mostly female (70 percent), non-Hispanic white (58 percent) and young adults’ (median age: 22.0 (20.0, 27.0)), with a median monthly income of $1,000 (0.0, 1,500) and spent about a fifth of their income on food. More students were food insecure (59.5 percent) compared to those who experienced food security (40.5 percent) (p<0.001). Some of the severe food insecure students (16.7 percent) reported going to bed without food (6.9 percent) in the prior 30 days. Students with monthly food budgets of ⩽ $200 were 3.2 times more likely to be food insecure (OR=3.231: CI: 1.353–7.714; p=0.010) compared to those with higher food budgets. A students’ choice of priority monthly expenses was significantly associated with food security status; however, further risk assessment of dichotomous “prioritized food” and “prioritized other expenses” was not statistically significant. Originality/value Student’s food budget of $200 was the strongest determinant of food insecurity. Individual training on money management and meal planning are recommended. University policies should recognize and develop academic support policies addressing competing expenses with food.

scholarly journals Characteristics associated with changes in food security status among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Soldavini ◽  
Hazael Andrew ◽  
Maureen Berner
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Security Module ◽  
Adult Food

Abstract The prevalence of food insecurity in the USA has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, past studies have not examined how the food security status of college students has been impacted. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the prevalence of food insecurity; determine the proportion of students experiencing a change in food security status; and identify characteristics associated with changes in food security status from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of college students. We administered a cross-sectional online survey to students from a large public university in the Southeastern USA. The 10-item U.S. Adult Food Security Module was used to assess food security status during the spring 2020 semester both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and students self-reported a variety of individual characteristics. The overall prevalence of food insecurity increased by approximately one-third during the spring 2020 semester from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic. When examining the types of changes in food security status experienced by students, 12% improved, 68% stayed the same, and 20% worsened. A variety of characteristics were associated with an improvement or worsening of food security status category from before to during the pandemic. Similar to what is seen in other reports, we found that the overall proportion of college students in our sample experiencing food insecurity increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, some students showed improvements in food security status. Approaches for addressing food insecurity during and beyond the pandemic are needed.

scholarly journals Measuring household food security: the global experience

2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (suppl) ◽  
pp. 27s-37s ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Melgar-Quinonez ◽  
Michelle Hackett
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Governmental Agencies ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
New Research

Measuring household food insecurity represents a challenge due to the complexity and wide array of factors associated with this phenomenon. For over one decade, researchers and agencies throughout the world have been using and assessing the validity of variations of the United States Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Supplemental Module. Thanks to numerous studies of diverse design, size, and purpose, the Household Food Security Supplemental Module has shown its suitability to directly evaluate the perceptions of individuals on their food security status. In addition, challenges and limitations are becoming clearer and new research questions are emerging as the process advances. The purpose of this article is to describe the development, validation procedures, and use of the Household Food Security Supplemental Module in very diverse settings. The most common Household Food Security Supplemental Module related studies have been conducted using criterion validity, Rasch modeling and Cronbach-Alpha Coefficient. It is critical that researchers, policy makers, governmental and non-governmental agencies intensify their efforts to further develop tools that provide valid and reliable measures of food security in diverse population groups. Additional work is needed to synthesize a universally applicable tool able to capture the global human phenomenon of food insecurity.

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