scholarly journals Household Vulnerability to Food Insecurity and the Regional Food Insecurity Gap in Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 9022
Author(s):  
Lilian Korir ◽  
Marian Rizov ◽  
Eric Ruto ◽  
Patrick Paul Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Regional Food ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Household Vulnerability ◽  
Access To Food

Food insecurity remains a vital concern in Kenya. Vulnerable members of the population, such as children, the elderly, marginalised ethnic minorities, and low-income households, are disproportionately affected by food insecurity. Following the pioneering work of Sen, which examined exposure to food insecurity at a household level using his “entitlement approach”, this paper estimates households’ vulnerability to food insecurity. In turn, the outcome variable is decomposed in order to explain the food insecurity gap between households classified as “marginalised” and “non-marginalised”. We applied the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition method to examine vulnerability to food insecurity and, in particular, contributions of observed differences in socio-demographic characteristics (endowments) or differences in the returns to these characteristics, which, in our context, is associated with poor public services and infrastructure in the vicinity of the household. The results indicated that differences in vulnerability to food insecurity were mainly attributable to observed differences in socio-demographic characteristics such as education, age, and household income. Therefore, policies seeking to attain equity by investment into targeted household characteristics in terms of access to food and other productive resources could effectively combat food insecurity. For example, policymakers could develop programs for household inclusiveness using education and social protection programs, including insurance schemes against risk of endowment loss.

scholarly journals Energy, macronutrient and fatty acid intake of French elderly community dwellers and association with socio-demographic characteristics: data from the Bordeaux sample of the Three-City Study

2007 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 1046-1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Féart ◽  
Marthe A. Jutand ◽  
Sophie Larrieu ◽  
Luc Letenneur ◽  
Cécile Delcourt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Dietary Assessment ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Total Fat

Few data are available regarding dietary habits of the elderly, in particular about fatty acid consumption, whereas these are major risk or protective factors of several age-related diseases. The aim of the present study was to characterise the dietary intake of a French elderly population in terms of energy, macronutrients and fatty acids based on their socio-demographic characteristics. The study population (age range 67·7–94·9 years) consisted of 1786 subjects from Bordeaux (France), included in the Three-City cohort. Dietary assessment was performed by a 24 h recall, allowing the estimation of energy, protein, carbohydrate, total fat, SFA, MUFA and PUFA intakes. Socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, marital status, educational level and income), practice of sports and BMI were registered. Total energy intake (EI) was lower in women and in older participants ( ≥ 85 years) but higher in single subjects. Higher EI was associated with higher income, but not with educational level. Mean contribution of macronutrients to EI (protein 18 %, carbohydrate 46 % and total fat 31 %) was higher in women than men, except for alcohol. The oldest individuals consumed less protein and more mono- and disaccharides. Excess saturated fat intake (43 % of total fat), associated with a relative deficit in MUFA consumption (36 % of total fat), was observed. The mean 18 : 2n-6 : 18 : 3n-3 ratio was 9.9 and decreased with higher educational level. The present results suggest that being female, older age, being widowed and low income level could be considered as risk factors of inadequate dietary intake.

The Role of Women in Improving Access to Food at the Household Level in Mandeni Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-155
Author(s):  
Nondumiso Thabisile Mpanza ◽  
Mfaniseni Wiseman Mbatha
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Home Gardens ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Role Of Women ◽  
Access To Food

This paper censoriously assesses the role of women in improving access to food at the household level. The role of women is essential in the production of food as caretakers of household food security. However, their role is not well recognised, more especially in policymaking and resource allocation. This study was conducted through a qualitative approach with an exploratory research design. The participants were sampled with convenience sampling and interviewed with semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was employed as a tool for data analysis. The study adopted feminisation of poverty as a primary theory of this paper. Certain aspects of the study reveal that women have been struggling to access food from the diversity of retail vents that are obtainable in town because of low income and limitations of transport service. This is a constraint to women who depend on the off-farm sources of income because their household’s livelihood depends on purchasing food from retail vents. Those who rely on home gardens were experiencing low productivity and the unsustainability of their gardens. This has been caused by water scarcity and climate change. Therefore, women must be provided with training that seeks to develop their skills on how to make effective use of home gardens so that food security can be ensured.

scholarly journals Vitamin D Status of a Low-Income Elderly Community in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 172-172
Author(s):  
Wilna Oldewage-Theron ◽  
Christa Grobler
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Joint Pain ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Vitamin D Insufficiency ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Dairy Consumption

Abstract Objectives Previous studies in the same elderly community found poverty, food insecurity and a double burden of malnutrition (iron, zinc and vitamin A deficiencies and chronic non-communicable diseases), however, a paucity of data exists about vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency for South African elderly. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency among the elderly and its relationship to food insecurity, dietary diversity and common symptoms associated with vitamin D deficiency (VDD). Methods This was a quantitative, cross-sectional study in a convenience sample of 79 independently living elderly voluntarily attending an elderly care center in Sharpeville, South Africa. Measurements included socio-demographic (age, gender) and health (symptoms of VDD), physical activity-, dietary diversity- and food insecurity (validated household food insecurity access score) data, as well as 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D3) levels ascertained by electrohemiluminescence immunoassay. The respondents were divided into VDD (<25 nmol/L), vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) (≥25 < 50 nmol/L) and vitamin D adequate (VDA) (≥50 nmol/L) groups. IBM SPSS Software, version 26.0 was used for descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. Results VDD and VDI was observed in 3.8% and 32.9% of elderly respectively. Of the total sample, 11.4% were moderately and 21.5% severely food insecure. The mean(±SD) dietary diversity score was 5.88(±3.95). Only 3.8% of the elderly were not physically active. Significant differences were observed between the VDA, VDI and VDD groups for gender (P = 0.004), age (P = 0.011), back/joint pain (P = 0.035), and the dairy food group diversity score (P = 0.008). No other significant differences were observed. Conclusions Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency is a problem in these elderly community and associated with back/joint pain that may result in impaired functionality/mobility that can exacerbate food access and food insecurity. This study further supports the importance of dairy consumption to prevent VDI and VDD. Funding Sources National Research Foundation (South Africa).

scholarly journals Socio-Economic Characteristics of Farming Community and Food Security Situation in Punjab, Pakistan

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Bushra Pervaiz ◽  
Ninghui Li ◽  
Muhammad Qasim Manzoor ◽  
Muhammad Yaseen
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
Daily Consumption ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Farming Community ◽  
Punjab Province ◽  
Access To Food

Despite the availability of ample food and reasonably low food prices, food insecurity prevailed in many developing countries in 1970s. The paradigm shift in 1980s from supply to demand side of food security underlined the entitlement or access to food as the center of mainstream research. Current study is the findings of the data collected from household level survey regarding socio-economic and food insecurity conditions in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The descriptive analysis and cross tabulation of the household data revealed that household assets, house building material, size of agricultural farms, ownership of tractor, farm livestock were associated with food security conditions of the farming community. The data results also confirmed that the poorer families made major expenditure on the food out of total household expenditure every month.  It was also revealed that households in the irrigated regions of Punjab have better entitlement as compared with households surveyed from Thal (desert) and rain-fed regions. The daily consumption of eggs, milk and various forms of meat was found below daily recommended nutritional requirements in most of the households. This study confirms the findings of the earlier surveys made in this regard and highlights the demand side of food insecurity issues in Punjab province of Pakistan. Food security policies in Pakistan should focus entitlement and food access of farming households. The household and farm assets need to be built for reducing vulnerability of poorer farming community to food insecurity in Pakistan.

scholarly journals Social predictors of food insecurity during the stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. Results from a cross-sectional web-based survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge L. Cañari-Casaño ◽  
Omaira Cochachin-Henostroza ◽  
Oliver A. Elorreaga ◽  
Gandy Dolores-Maldonado ◽  
Anthony Aquino-Ramírez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Forward Selection ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Social Predictors ◽  
Probabilistic Sampling ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
At Home

SUMMARYBackgroundStay-at-home orders and social distancing have been implemented as the primary tools to reduce the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, this approach has indirectly lead to the unemployment of 2·3 million Peruvians, in Lima, Perú alone. As a result, the risk of food insecurity may have increased, especially in low-income families who rely on a daily wage. This study estimates the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (MSFI) and identifies the associated factors that explain this outcome during the stay-at-home order.MethodsA cross-sectional web-based survey, with non-probabilistic sampling, was conducted between May 18 and June 30, 2020, during the stay-at-home order in Peru. We used social media advertisements on Facebook to reach 18-59-year-olds living in Peru. MSFI was assessed using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). Rasch model methodology requirements were considered, and factors associated with MSFI were selected using stepwise forward selection. A Poisson generalized linear model (Poisson GLM), with log link function, was employed to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR).FindingsThis analysis is based on 1846 replies. The prevalence of MSFI was 23·2%, and FIES proved to be an acceptable instrument with reliability 0·72 and infit 0·8-1·3. People more likely to experience MSFI were those with low income (less than 255 US$/month) in the pre-pandemic period (aPR 3·77; 95%CI, 1·98-7·16), those whose income was significantly reduced during the pandemic period (aPR 2·27; 95%CI, 1·55-3·31), and those whose savings ran out in less than 21 days (aPR 1·86; 95%CI, 1·43-2·42). Likewise, heads of households (aPR 1·20; 95%CI, 1·00-1·44) and those with probable SARS-CoV2 cases as relatives (aPR 1·29; 95%CI, 1·05-1·58) were at an increased risk of MSFI. Additionally, those who perceived losing weight during the pandemic (aPR 1·21; 95%CI, 1·01-1·45), and increases in processed foods prices (aPR 1·31; 95%CI, 1·08-1·59), and eating less minimally processed food (aPR 1·82; 95%CI, 1·48-2·24) were more likely to experience MSFI.InterpretationPeople most at risk of MSFI were those in a critical economic situation before and during the pandemic. Social protection policies should be reinforced to prevent or mitigate these adverse effects.FundingNone.

scholarly journals Social Inequalities and Famine and Severe Food Insecurity Risk

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Becky Carter ◽  
Luke Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
National Level ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Social Characteristics ◽  
Regional Food ◽  
Household Level ◽  
The Impact

This rapid review summarises the evidence on the ways in which social inequalities and discrimination affect the risk of famine or severe food insecurity. Looking at the risk at the national and sub-national level, gender and other horizontal inequities can affect a society’s risk of violent conflict and therefore food insecurity, while fragile livelihoods associated with ethnic marginalisation can impact regional food security. At the individual and household level, there is a lack of disaggregated data on people’s social characteristics and famines. There is a broader literature on the impact of systemic discrimination (based on gender, age, disability, sexuality, and ethnic identity) on individuals’ and households’ livelihoods and assets, thereby increasing their vulnerability to food insecurity. A key finding from the literature is the gender gap, with women more at risk of being food insecure than men. Also, some ethnic groups are highly vulnerable particularly in conflict-related famines; starvation is used as a warfare tactic in political and ethnic conflicts. There is evidence of how social inequalities heighten individuals’ risks during food crises and famines, including through exposure to protection threats, while limiting their access to essential services and humanitarian assistance. A broad range of measures seeks to address the multi-dimensional ways in which social inequalities affect vulnerability and resilience to food insecurity.

scholarly journals Poverty and food insecurity may increase as the threat of COVID-19 spreads

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (17) ◽  
pp. 3236-3240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Pereira ◽  
Ana Marlucia Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Social Interventions ◽  
Adequate Food ◽  
Production And Distribution ◽  
Political Economic

AbstractThis article discusses the relationship between both poverty and food insecurity (FI) and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as presenting possible strategies and actions for increasing social protection in the fight against these conditions in the current epidemiological context, especially for low-income countries. This is a narrative review concerning COVID-19, poverty, and food and nutritional insecurity. The COVID-19 pandemic may increase poverty and FI levels, resulting from the absence of or weak political, economic and social interventions to maintain jobs, as well as compromised food production and distribution chains and reduced access to healthy foods in different countries around the world, especially the poorest ones, where social and economic inequality was already historically high; the pandemic heightens and uncovers the vulnerability of poor populations. Public policies focused on guaranteeing the human right to adequate food must be improved and implemented for populations in contexts of poverty with the aim of providing food security.

scholarly journals "It Is Just That We Are Alive But We Are Suffering" Experience Of Food Insecurity Among Elderly In Morogoro-tanzania

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
UPENDO KILUME ◽  
TUMAINI NYAMHANGA
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Research Information ◽  
Insufficient Amount ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
Access To Food ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Background Studies on food insecurity in Tanzania have been quantitative in nature and have focused on specific population groups such as those of people living with HIV and women. However, there is very little, if any, qualitative research information in Tanzania on experiences of food insecurity among elderly with respect to its magnitude and associated circumstances.Methods Interview guide and focused group discussion guide were used to explore the magnitude of food insecurity among elderly and its associated circumstances. A total of 25 elderly and 3 district officials were involved in in-depth interview and another 25 elderly were involved in focused group discussion.Results The study found that elderly had limited access to food, eat less number of meals as well as insufficient amount. The circumstance associated with food insecurity were found to be limited strength to engage themselves in farm activities or working as casual laborers to earn some money to buy food, limited strength to prepare food, burden of taking care of grandchildren and inadequate food support from children.Conclusion In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that the elderly people experience food insecurity with respect to both quantity and quality. Therefore, it is high time that a strategy was developed to ensure that all elderly in Tanzania are food secure.

scholarly journals Sheltering in place swings door open wide to food insecurity during COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Amir Alakaam ◽  
Sondra Gudmundson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
The World ◽  
Or Practice ◽  
Access To Food ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing economic devastation and health system instability around the world. It has been reported that virus pandemics result in food crises even before the appearance of health impacts of the virus in the community. Addressing the consequences of food insecurity is critical during public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, there is no evidence for the best module or practice used to reduce food insecurity during COVID-19 pandemic. However, a previously adapted tool can be used to address and measure community needs as well as expand access to food. The purpose of this report is to introduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food insecurity among the low-income population of the United States and to provide a suggestion to intervene on the impact. Using a validated tool to identify food insecurity, coupled with urgent immediate policy change, may diminish consequences of food insecurity and protect the health of those most fragile during a pandemic crisis in rural and low-income communities.

scholarly journals The Association Between Household Income, Food Security, and Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease in Elderly Patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyuk Huh ◽  
Je Hun Song ◽  
Hong Yeop Kim ◽  
Hoseok Koo ◽  
Kyung Don Yoo
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Household Income ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Income Level ◽  
Elderly Group

Abstract This study aimed to clarify the association between food security and the prevalence of chronic disease. We analyzed the variables of The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V (2010–2012), and VI (2013–2015) while merging data of the food security questionnaire of four years. We included 15,945 participants, performed propensity score matched analysis by quartile of household income (i.e., low, low-mid, high-mid, high) and sex, and presented the results by age group. Systolic blood pressure and proportion of current smokers were significantly higher in the elderly group, compared with the middle-aged group. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), metabolic syndrome, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) did not differ significantly by income level in the elderly group. The food security questionnaire revealed that food security insurance was significantly lower in the low-income level (1st quartile), compared with that in the high-income level (4th quartile). The logistic regression analysis for the association between the prevalence of chronic disease and food insecurity confirmed no significant association with hypertension and DM. Food insecurity might be associated with CKD prevalence, especially in the elderly population.

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