Preliminary validation and piloting of a comprehensive measure of household food security in Australia

Abstract

The HFNSS may be a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of food insecurity among the Australian population and provides a means of assessing multiple barriers to food security beyond poor financial access (which has been identified as a limitation of other existing tools). Future research should explore the validity and reliability of the tool among a more representative sample, as well as specifically among vulnerable population subgroups.

Food Insecurity and Socioeconomic Disadvantage in Australia

“…They must be able to get this food in ways that make them feel good about themselves and their families' [1]. Food security comprises four aspects: the availability of food, the physical and financial resources to access food, the ability to utilize food, requiring safe food and water as well as the ability to safely prepare, cook and store food, and finally, the stability of food supply [2]. Definitions of food security highlight the fact that food security is not simply the absence of food scarcity and hunger, but also relates to broader issues of a healthy and balanced diet and, for this reason, food security is a prominent policy and public health issue in high-income countries [3].…”

Single‐item measure of food insecurity used in the National Health Survey may underestimate prevalence in Australia

“…This may be particularly exacerbated among specific sub‐groups of the population, for example older and young adults, people living in isolation and/or rural and regional areas, and people with physical disabilities or specific health or dietary requirements. Future research efforts should seek to identify ways to assess the remaining pillars of food insecurity and accurately capture its true burden on the population, as indicated in recent Australian research 32,33 …”

Vulnerable, single and living in poverty: Women’s challenges to accessing food in the Australian Capital Territory

“…Food and nutrition security “exists when all people at all times have physical and economic access to food, which is safe and consumed in sufficient quantity and quality to meet their dietary needs and food preferences, and is supported by an environment of adequate sanitation, health services and care, allowing for a healthy and active life” 11 . Food insecurity ranges from worrying about where the next meal may come from, to difficulties accessing adequate nutritious food, or to severe levels of hunger or malnourishment 12,13 . The Australian Health Survey (2011–12) states that 4% of Australians were living in a household that had run out of food in the previous 12 months 14 .…”

“…The Australian Health Survey (2011–12) states that 4% of Australians were living in a household that had run out of food in the previous 12 months 14 . National Australian data outlining this problem is limited and likely to under‐represent the full extent of the problem due to limitations in the methodology 13,15 . In addition, these data do not separate prevalence of food insecurity by gender.…”

“…These statistics are only a guide and do not fully capture women who: are worrying about where the next meal comes from; use other charitable food services; are ‘hidden’ due to safety reasons; use a variety of purchasing strategies to enable value for money; and acknowledge their situation. Further, this data does not capture the gender specific transient nature of emergency food relief requirements 12,13,18 …”