Prevalence, Determinants, and Effects of Food Insecurity among Middle Eastern and North African Migrants and Refugees in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Mansour, Reima; Liamputtong, Pranee; Arora, Amit

doi:10.3390/ijerph17197262

Cited by 30 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(121 reference statements)

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“…Although there is evidence on food security status among some established migrant populations, there is a knowledge gap and limited understanding of food security among some more recently arrived migrants such as those from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) among whom little research has been undertaken [ 28 , 29 ]. In a recent systematic review, only three studies, all from the United States [ 8 , 30 , 31 ], reported data on MENA migrants; they found varying insecurity prevalence, namely 40% [ 8 ], 60% [ 30 ] and 71% [ 31 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and risk factors of food insecurity among Libyan migrant families in Australia

et al. 2021

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Background The burden of food insecurity remains a public health challenge even in high income countries, such as Australia, and especially among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. While research has been undertaken among several migrant communities in Australia, there is a knowledge gap about food security within some ethnic minorities such as migrants from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This study aims to determine the prevalence and correlates of food insecurity among Libyan migrant families in Australia. Methods A cross-sectional design utilising an online survey and convenience sampling was used to recruit 271 participants, each representing a family, who had migrated from Libya to Australia. Food security was measured using the single-item measure taken from the Australian Health Survey (AHS) and the 18-item measure from the United States Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Survey Module (USDA HFSSM). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent correlates associated with food insecurity. Results Using the single-item measure, the prevalence of food insecurity was 13.7% whereas when the 18-item questionnaire was used, more than three out of five families (72.3%) reported being food insecure. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis for the single-item measure, those living alone or with others reported higher odds of being food insecure (AOR = 2.55, 95% CI 1.05, 6.21) compared to those living with their spouse, whereas higher annual income (≥AUD 40,000) was associated with lower odds of food insecurity (AOR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.11, 0.84). Higher annual income was also associated with lower odds of food insecurity (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.25, 0.94) on the 18-item measure. On both single and 18-item measures, larger family size (AOR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.07, 1.49 and AOR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.01, 1.47 respectively) was associated with increased odds of food insecurity. Conclusion This study provides evidence that food insecurity amongst Libyan migrants in Australia is a widespread problem and is associated with a number of sociodemographic and socio-economic factors. The findings of this study serve to contribute to the depth and breadth of food security research among vulnerable communities, in this instance Libyan migrant families.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and risk factors of food insecurity among Libyan migrant families in Australia

et al. 2021

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“…For example, some previous studies which quantitatively measured food security have focused on first-generation immigrants or refugees, who had therefore already completed a migratory process and were settled in a destination country [ 37 – 39 ]. Within a destination country and over time, these individuals may have had access to relatively greater resources including housing, income and social support.…”

Section: Existing Knowledge Regarding Food Insecurity In Migrant Populationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Migrants on the Move and Food (In)security: A Call for Research

Orjuela‐Grimm

Deschak

Gama

et al. 2021

J Immigrant Minority Health

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Food insecurity contributes to negative outcomes for health and wellbeing, and its impact may be exacerbated during periods of vulnerability. While food insecurity is both a driver and a consequence of migration, anecdotal evidence indicates that it is also common during migration when people are ‘on the move’, although its prevalence and severity during these periods are largely undocumented. Food security monitoring is critical to ensuring the universal right to food for migrants, and instruments must be designed which capture the unique challenges faced during these ‘extra-ordinary’ periods of mobility, including in the context of emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper reviews knowledge on food security in migrants on the move and examines how active mobility intersects with food security and its measurement. Considering the potential consequences on health and wellbeing, we call for interdisciplinary research using standard instruments to document food insecurity in migrants on the move. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10903-021-01276-7.

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“…Importantly, gender inequalities matter in understanding how conflict instigates (acute) food insecurity (see Box 3). Furthermore, although population movement could increase access to food, displaced populations are vulnerable for food insecurity as they rely on support (Mansour et al, 2020). 12 In research in the Central African Republic communities reported that households displaced as a result of conflict were less likely to re-invest in household assets or plant the full amount of seed to which they had access, due to fear of a future cycle of conflict and the potential for further displacement (Concern, 2018).…”

Section: Acute Food Insecurity Conflict and Protracted Crises Conflict And Food Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Drivers of Acute Food Insecurity and the Risk of Famine

Quak¹

2021

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This rapid review synthesises the literature from academic, policy, and knowledge institution sources on the drivers of acute food insecurity and famines with a focus on key FCDO-partner countries. This review builds further on evidence already collected in other K4D helpdesk reports. The main conclusion of this rapid review is that the drivers of acute food insecurity are complex, often involving multiple and interrelated factors. The drivers for chronical food insecurity and acute food insecurity cannot be separated entirely from each other, as the evidence shows that slow-onset determinants of food insecurity could play a critical role during an event (or multiple events) that could trigger a food emergency. The literature shows that the political economy (e.g. food system governance or preparedness of institutions to disasters) and socioeconomic dynamics (e.g. shaping demand and supply of food) have become more relevant factors in any analysis on the drivers of acute food insecurity, acute malnutrition, and famine. This coincides with a shift in the literature away from global drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition toward localised dynamics on the national and sub-national level. The analytical framework of Howe (2018) that captures this complexity distinguishes pressure, hold, and self-reinforcing dynamics as key dimensions that explain potential pathways for famine. These could be political-induced, natural-induced, economical-induced, or socially induced, but most often a combination. Based on this framework and supported by the evidence from the literature, this rapid review assesses conflicts and protracted crises; climate change and pressure on natural resources; social inequalities; and economic shocks and food prices, as the key drivers of acute food insecurity and famine. Importantly, from the literature it seems clear that acute food insecurity is the result of changing vulnerabilities that link with different coping mechanisms of households and communities.

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Prevalence, Determinants, and Effects of Food Insecurity among Middle Eastern and North African Migrants and Refugees in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Cited by 30 publications

References 32 publications

Prevalence and risk factors of food insecurity among Libyan migrant families in Australia

Prevalence and risk factors of food insecurity among Libyan migrant families in Australia

Migrants on the Move and Food (In)security: A Call for Research

The Drivers of Acute Food Insecurity and the Risk of Famine

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