Household Characteristics and Food Security in Low-Income Urban Areas of South Africa

In South Africa, food security at the household level is an issue still needing empirical attention. This study conducts an empirical analysis on the effect of household size, income of household head, gender of household head, location of the household, and distance from food markets on food security in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. A binary logistic regression model is estimated to analyze determinants of food security from 900 households randomly selected from three townships of Gauteng Province, South Africa. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire, with food security measured by the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. This study shows that the income of the household head promotes food security while household size and location of the household contribute to food insecurity. Our results also show that the gender of the household head is essential in maintaining sustainable levels of food security. Furthermore, it was found that the distance from food markets neither makes households food secure nor insecure. This study validates that matriarchal households exhibited comparatively greater food security than male-headed households. The findings of this study are essential in formulating policy on food security in low-income areas.

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Accessibility of summer meals and the food insecurity of low-income households with children

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980016000033 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (11) ◽

pp. 2079-2089 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Daniel P Miller

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Low Income ◽

Urban Areas ◽

California Health Interview Survey ◽

Lower Probability ◽

Geographic Accessibility ◽

Households With Children ◽

The Impact ◽

Low Income Households

AbstractObjectiveAlmost no previous research has examined the impact of the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program and related Seamless Summer Option, which provide meals and snacks to low-income children over the summer. The present study investigated whether geographic accessibility of summer meals programme sites (a proxy for programme participation) was associated with food insecurity for low-income households.DesignThe study used data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) and administrative data on summer meals sites in California. Geocoding was used to calculate driving time between CHIS households and nearby summer meals sites. Geographic accessibility was measured using a gravity model, which accounted for the spatially distributed supply of and demand for summer meals. Food insecurity and very low food security were measured using a standard six-item measure from the USDA.SubjectsLow-income families with children (n5394).SettingA representative surveillance study of non-institutionalized households in California.ResultsGeographic accessibility was not associated with food insecurity. However, geographic accessibility was associated with a significantly lower probability of very low food security in the full sample and among households with younger children and those living in less urban areas.ConclusionsThe USDA’s summer meals programme may be effective at reducing the most severe form of food insecurity for low-income households with children. Expanding the number of summer meals sites, the number of meals served at sites and sites’ hours of operation may be effective strategies to promote nutritional health over the summer months.

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Determination Of The Factors Affecting The Food Security Status Of Households In Bophelong, South Africa

International Business & Economics Research Journal (IBER) ◽

10.19030/iber.v12i5.7829 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 543 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

TJ Sekhampu

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Food Security ◽

Marital Status ◽

Household Head ◽

Household Survey ◽

Household Size ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Reference Source ◽

Household Food ◽

Food Security Status

This study investigates the food security status of households in the township of Bophelong, South Africa. The results are based on a household survey using questionnaires. A Logistic regression model was estimated based on this data with the household food security status (that is food secure and insecure) as the dependent variable and a set of demographic variables as explanatory variables. It was found that about 26 percent of the sampled households are food secure. Further analysis identified household income, household size, marital status, employment status, age and gender of the household head as important determinants of food security. While other variables of importance positively influenced food security, household size and the marital status of the household head were negatively associated with household food security. The educational attainment of the household head was not important in explaining the variation in household food security status. Information provided by this study can be used as a reference source for policy decisions regarding household food security in South Africa.

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Urban food insecurity and its determinants: a baseline study of Bengaluru

Environment and Urbanization ◽

10.1177/0956247819861899 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 421-442 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Shriya Anand ◽

Keerthana Jagadeesh ◽

Charrlotte Adelina ◽

Jyothi Koduganti

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Household Head ◽

Household Survey ◽

Current Status ◽

Future Research ◽

Urban Food Security ◽

Future Research Agenda ◽

Housing Typology

There is an increasing need to study urban food security in the global South. This is because of the monetization of food in urban areas and compounding vulnerability from other deprivations such as lack of access to infrastructure. We assess these claims in this paper, based on a city-wide household survey in Bengaluru (Bangalore) carried out in 2016 that used experiential measures of food security like the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. We find that income and consumption do not have a clear relationship with food insecurity. However, socioeconomic dimensions like education level and wage type of the household head, and infrastructural dimensions like housing typology, and water connection are strongly related to food security. Through this work, we attempt to establish the baseline evidence on the current status of food security in Bengaluru, to lay the foundation for a future research agenda on urban food security in India.

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Food security assessment in rural areas: evidence from Iran

Agriculture & Food Security ◽

10.1186/s40066-021-00291-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Atefeh Ahmadi Dehrashid ◽

Masoud Bijani ◽

Naser Valizadeh ◽

Hossein Ahmadi Dehrashid ◽

Bahram Nasrollahizadeh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Low Income ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Underground Water ◽

Current Status ◽

Security Assessment ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Adequate Food

Abstract Background Food security is considered a pivotal factor for the sustainable development of communities and focus on this issue in rural areas. More specifically, it is of paramount importance in developing countries. Accordingly, this descriptive-analytical study aimed to evaluate the status of food security in rural areas of Iran. The main originality of the present study is to assess the strategic future-oriented vision for food security in addition to the evaluation of the current status of the studied area. Methodology Data were collected using the standard questionnaire of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and a researcher-made close-ended questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the research instrument were confirmed by a panel of specialists and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, respectively. In addition, data analysis was performed using SPSS24 (to analyze the descriptive statistics) and Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Situation (FTOPSIS). Results According to the results, 80% of the villagers suffered from food insecurity (25% in low food insecurity situation, 42% in moderate food insecurity situation, and 13% in severe food insecurity situation). Evaluation of the factors affecting food insecurity demonstrated that economic (standardized weight of 0.566), stability (standardized weight of 0.559), and availability (standardized weight of 0.558) were the most important components affecting food insecurity. Moreover, in a systemic approach, the growth of migration from rural to urban areas, pressure on water and soil resources, and the occurrence of environmental hazards are of the most significant consequences of food insecurity. In addition, due to the excessive use of underground water for cucurbits, which is the dominant cultivation pattern in this region, the groundwater level has dropped sharply in some villages farther from the city which can be alarming for exacerbating food insecurity in the near future. Conclusion Since the low-income level of villagers, lack of job diversity, and lack of access to adequate food are the main reasons for food insecurity, in this respect, it is suggested that more attention be paid to the development of occupations and job diversity in these regions by decision-makers and policy-makers.

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Determinants of Household Food Security in Urban Areas

JEJAK ◽

10.15294/jejak.v10i1.9130 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 103-120 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sarah Ayu Mutiah ◽

Istiqomah Istiqomah

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Urban Poor ◽

Household Head ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Household Size ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Household Food ◽

Rice Policy ◽

The City

Food security at household level is a very important precondition to foster the national and regional food security. Many people migrate to urban areas in the hope of improving their welfare. Generally people think that in the city there are more opportunities, but the opposite is true. The problem is more complex in the city especially for people who do not have adequate skills and education. This study aims to address whether age of household head, household size, education level of household head, income, and distribution of subsidized rice policy affect the food security of urban poor households in Purbalingga district. A hundred respondents were selected from four top villages in urban areas of Purbalingga with the highest level of poverty. Using binary logistic regression, this study finds significant positive effect of education of household head and household income and significant negative effect of household size and raskin on household food security, while age of household head has no significant effect on household food security. The results imply the need for increased awareness of family planning, education, improved skills, and increased control of the implementation of subsidized rice for the poor.

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Food security and morbidity of elderly in disadvantaged rural Bangladesh

Journal of the Bangladesh Agricultural University ◽

10.3329/jbau.v12i1.21254 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 95-104

Author(s):

MA Quddus ◽

S Bauer

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Health Status ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Elderly People ◽

Low Income ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

The Elderly ◽

Farm Size ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Model ◽

Factors Influencing

The study was undertaken to assess the food consumption level, prevalence of food insecurity and health status of elderly in the disadvantaged rural area of Bangladesh. Data were collected from fifteen villages in three vulnerable regions (river-flooded, hilly and coastal) through self-completed questionnaire. Descriptive statistics of sociodemographic characteristics of 282 households, food frequency and overall health status of elderly were measured. Economic, demographic and some other household characteristic factors influencing food insecurity of elderly people was estimated using binary logistic regression model. Socio-demographic factors influencing morbidity of elderly people were estimated using Chi-square statistics. Socioeconomic conditions of the studied areas were poor and they spent above 83% of their income for food. Rice, wheat, pulses and vegetables were the highly consumed and fruits and sweets were the less consumed foods by the elderly people. One-fourth and two-third of the elderly people had eaten fish and meat, respectively less than a week. Food insecurity was inversely associated with household income and level of education of elderly people and positively associated with number of household member. Food security was 3.5 times more likely to the oldest elder (75 years) as compared with older elder (< 75 years). Elderly people of age group 75 years and over were more prevalence of morbidities and 23.8% elders were suffering from severe morbidity. Also they suffered from treatment facilities. Higher age, low income, food insecurity and anxiety were the major causes of their morbidity. No significant morbidity differentials existed among different sexes, farm size and study locations. Proper intervention programs should be designed and implemented to control the prevalence of health and food availability for the elderly. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v12i1.21254 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(1): 95-104, June 2014

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Food insecurity, diet quality and body composition: data from the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI) pilot survey in urban Soweto, South Africa

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s136898002100046x ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Sarah H Kehoe ◽

Stephanie V Wrottesley ◽

Lisa Ware ◽

Alessandra Prioreschi ◽

Catherine Draper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Body Composition ◽

Food Security ◽

Body Size ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Urban Poor ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Healthy Life ◽

Life Trajectories

Abstract Objective: To determine whether food security, diet diversity and diet quality are associated with anthropometric measurements and body composition among women of reproductive age. The association between food security and anaemia prevalence was also tested. Design: Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI) study. Food security and dietary data were collected by an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Hb levels were measured using a HemoCue, and anaemia was classified as an altitude-adjusted haemoglobin level < 12·5 g/dl. Body size and composition were assessed using anthropometry and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Setting: The urban township of Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa. Participants: Non-pregnant women aged 18–25 years (n 1534). Results: Almost half of the women were overweight or obese (44 %), and 9 % were underweight. Almost a third of women were anaemic (30 %). The prevalence rates of anaemia and food insecurity were similar across BMI categories. Food insecure women had the least diverse diets, and food security was negatively associated with diet quality (food security category v. diet quality score: B = –0·35, 95 % CI –0·70, –0·01, P = 0·049). Significant univariate associations were observed between food security and total lean mass. However, there were no associations between food security and body size or composition variables in multivariate models. Conclusions: Our data indicate that food security is an important determinant of diet quality in this urban-poor, highly transitioned setting. Interventions to improve maternal and child nutrition should recognise both food security and the food environment as critical elements within their developmental phases.

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Where Do I Allocate My Urban Allotment Gardens? Development of a Site Selection Tool for Three Cities in Benin

Land ◽

10.3390/land10030318 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 318

Author(s):

B. G. J. S. Sonneveld ◽

M. D. Houessou ◽

G. J. M. van den Boom ◽

A. Aoudji

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Urban Agriculture ◽

Low Income ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Urban Poor ◽

Site Suitability ◽

Rapid Urbanization ◽

Middle Income ◽

Support Tool ◽

Allotment Gardens

In the context of rapid urbanization, poorer residents in cities across low- and middle-income countries increasingly experience food and nutrition deficiencies. The United Nations has highlighted urban agriculture (UA) as a viable solution to food insecurity, by empowering the urban poor to produce their own fresh foods and make some profit from surplus production. Despite its potential role in reducing poverty and food insecurity, there appears to be little political will to support urban agriculture. This is seen in unclear political mandates that are sustained by information gaps on selection criteria for UA sites. The research reported here addresses this issue in the form of a decision-making support tool that assesses the suitability of cadastral units and informal plots for allotment gardens in urban and peri-urban areas. The tool was developed and tested for three rapidly expanding cities in Benin, a low-income country in West Africa, based on an ordered logit model that relates a set of 300 expert assessments on site suitability to georeferenced information on biophysical and socio-economic characteristics. Soil, land use, groundwater depth, vicinity to market and women’s safety were significant factors in the assessment. Scaled up across all cadastral units and informal sites, the tool generated detailed baseline maps on site suitability and availability of areas. Its capacity to support policymakers in selecting appropriate sites comes to the fore by reporting changes in site suitability under scenarios of improved soil fertility and enhanced safety for women.

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Food Security and COVID-19: A Systematic Review of the First-Year Experience

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13095294 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 5294

Author(s):

Boglárka Anna Éliás ◽

Attila Jámbor

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Low Income ◽

Poverty Reduction ◽

First Year ◽

Structural Problem ◽

Global Food Security ◽

Global Food ◽

Low Income Households

For decades, global food security has not been able to address the structural problem of economic access to food, resulting in a recent increase in the number of undernourished people from 2014. In addition, the FAO estimates that the number of undernourished people drastically increased by 82–132 million people in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To alleviate this dramatic growth in food insecurity, it is necessary to understand the nature of the increase in the number of malnourished during the pandemic. In order to address this, we gathered and synthesized food-security-related empirical results from the first year of the pandemic in a systematic review. The vast majority (78%) of the 51 included articles reported household food insecurity has increased (access, utilization) and/or disruption to food production (availability) was a result of households having persistently low income and not having an adequate amount of savings. These households could not afford the same quality and/or quantity of food, and a demand shortfall immediately appeared on the producer side. Producers thus had to deal not only with the direct consequences of government measures (disruption in labor flow, lack of demand of the catering sector, etc.) but also with a decline in consumption from low-income households. We conclude that the factor that most negatively affects food security during the COVID-19 pandemic is the same as the deepest structural problem of global food security: low income. Therefore, we argue that there is no need for new global food security objectives, but there is a need for an even stronger emphasis on poverty reduction and raising the wages of low-income households. This structural adjustment is the most fundamental step to recover from the COVID-19 food crises, and to avoid possible future food security crises.

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

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su10093307 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 3307 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

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.

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