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

Abstract

Household food insecurity (HFI) is a significant problem in the developing world. Relationships between HFI and nutrition, physical growth, and development have been elucidated; less is known about the non-nutritional impacts among individuals living in rural areas in low-income countries. The aim of this study was to determine if HFI is a risk factor for suboptimal mental health and overall health in rural Honduras. In a population of 24,696 adults with 176 isolated villages in western Honduras, we collected data on household food insecurity and physical and mental health outcome measures. Using logistic regression with and without adjusting for village and household level unobservables invariant across individual respondents, we show that females (OR: 1.11, p <0.01)), indigenous people (OR: 2:00, p < 0.01), and those planning to migrate (OR: 1.24, p <0.01) have higher odds of experiencing food insecurity. The risks of food insecurity and poor health were mitigated among respondents living where they were born and having multi-generations of relatives living in the same village—a measure of the opportunity and availability of social networks. Living in a food insecure compared to a food secure household was associated with 77 percent higher odds of being depressed, 35 percent higher odds of low overall mental health, and 20 percent higher odds for low overall health.

Physicochemical, Hydration and Steady Shear Rheological Properties of Flours Derived From Different Crop Residues From the Honduran Agro–Food Industry

“…Honduras has a population of almost 10 million inhabitants, facing a complex social and economic reality, and is one of the poorest and most unequal countries in America. It is also located in Central America's 'Dry Corridor' area, which is particularly susceptible to irregular and long-lasting droughts 5 . The past two years (2020-2022) have delivered multiple overlapping challenges to food security, including climate change, conflicts, and the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Climate change may affect the country's agro-industry, generating crop losses (40-100%), reduction of water flows, water shortages, the appearance of new and stronger pests, and economic losses, thus generating a situation of food insecurity. Compounding the challenge, Honduras suffers from the double burden of malnutrition and obesity 5 . Crops such as taro (Colocasia esculenta), cassava (Manihot esculenta), maize (Zea mays) and banana (Musa paradisiaca) are mainly affected by this situation.…”

Suitability of Flours and Gels From Crops Affected by Climate Change in Honduras: Crystallinity, Thermal, Dynamic Rheological and Textural Behavior

“…Food security (FS) is determined by 1) the availability of enough quality food within the community/country at all times; 2) adequate economic and physical access at the household and individual level; 3) the utilization of this food within the family, as well as access to clean water and good sanitation conditions allowing the safe preparation of food 1 . The importance of global food security, food loss and waste has increased over the last few decades and was included in the 2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 .…”