Prevalence and socioeconomic and geographical inequalities of household food insecurity in the Paris region, France, 2010

Abstract

BackgroundFood insecurity (FI) is the situation where people do not have, at all times, access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs for an active and healthy life. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of FI in the Paris area by using, for the first time in France, a specific FI questionnaire and to identify the characteristics of food-insecure households, taking into account a potential neighbourhood effect.MethodsThis study is based on data from the third wave of the SIRS cohort study (a representative, population-based socioepidemiological study) that were analysed using a cross-sectional design. In 2010, 3000 individuals in the Paris metropolitan area (PMA) were interviewed. FI was investigated by means of the USDA’s HFSSM. We used stratified multilevel models across three household income categories to identify populations at risk for FI.ResultsIn 2010, 6.30% (95% CI = [4.99-7.97]) of the households in the PMA experienced FI (up to 13.59% in the most underprivileged neighbourhoods). About 2.50% of the households experienced severe FI and 2.85% of household living with an income above 1666 € experienced food insecurity, whereas the percentage raises to 23.38% among those living below the poverty threshold (<791 €). Depending on the income level, different household characteristics emerged as being associated with FI. In the poorest households, the presence of a child under 3 years of age was associated with an increased risk of FI (OR = 2.11; p = 0.03). Among higher-income households, the household composition appeared to be strongly associated with FI.ConclusionFI exists in several social groups in France. Its prevalence in the most underprivileged households should be considered an indicator of vulnerability, which could permit targeted social assistance policies.

Socio-economic characteristics, living conditions and diet quality are associated with food insecurity in France

“…Consistent with previous studies carried out in the USA, Canada, England, Finland and one French region (9,13,31,33,34,43) , the present study showed that individuals reporting household FI were younger, more frequently women, single parents with children, non-home owners and had lower income than those living in foodsecure households. The greater vulnerability of women could result from the dynamic nature of experiencing FI within the household: parents, particularly women, tend to deprive themselves to protect their children against hunger (6) .…”

“…2). (56) , and is higher than that observed in both Canada in 2007-2008 (7·7 %) (57) and the Paris metropolitan area, which is the wealthiest region in France, in 2010 (6·3 %) (13,58) . Beyond methodological differences between studies (in particular regarding FI assessment), variation in FI prevalence between countries may be due to differences in the state of national economies, socio-economic characteristics of the population (e.g.…”

“…The greater vulnerability of women could result from the dynamic nature of experiencing FI within the household: parents, particularly women, tend to deprive themselves to protect their children against hunger (6) . The gender effect could however be confounded by family composition because women are heavily overrepresented among single-parent families (60) , as previously observed (13) . It is noteworthy that there is a higher risk of FI among single-parent families despite the existence of a supplemental familial allowance for single-parent families 2171·1 25·2 2112·9 25·6 2234·7 23·4 2172·3 23·6 0·038 0·833 Fruit and vegetables 338·7 15·2 405·0 11·0 429·6 11·1 439·8 10·2 455·3 10·3 <0·001 <0·001 Vegetables 121·7 5·6 126·6 4·1 143·8 4·1 139·6 3·8 147·3 3·8 <0·001 <0·001 Fresh fruit 117·0 9·1 127·0 6·6 134·0 6·6 145·1 6·1 166·1 6·1 0·003 <0·001 Processed fruit or juice 38·3 6·5 72·6 4·7 69·9 4·8 81·5 4·4 72·7 Meat and poultry 114·7 3·9 123·4 2·8 121·5 2·...…”

“…This is of particular concern given that FI has been associated with several social, emotional and health consequences among children (6,12,61) . The relationship between income and FI has been well established (9,13,33,34) . However, the present study, based on comparisons between individuals experiencing household FI and those living in food-secure households divided into four categories according to income level (FS1 to FS4), suggests a somewhat more nuanced situation.…”

“…In European countries, only a few studies have assessed the prevalence of FI (33,34) . In France, available data are limited to specific regions (13) or high-risk groups such as very-low-income and homeless people (35) (36,37) . The present study aimed to (i) assess the prevalence of household FI in the French adult population and (ii) characterise individuals experiencing FI with regard to their socio-economic characteristics, living conditions, health behaviours, food consumption, diet quality and cost.…”