Prevalence of food insecurity and related factors among slum households in Kerman, south of Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Household food insecurity (FI) is defined as limited or uncertain access to nutritionally adequate and safe food or limited ability to obtain foods in socially acceptable ways has become a global issue in recent decades. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kerman, southeast of Iran in 2019, covering 559 marginalised households. United States Department of Agriculture food security measure was used for data collection.Finally, data were analysed using t-test, χ 2 , Mann-Whitney tests and logistic regression. Results:The prevalence of FI was 82% among slums households. The most important experience of FI in households was reliance on low-cost foods. There was a significant relationship between slums FI and gender of head of household, household size, household income, household education level and marital status (p ˂ 0.05). According to the results of the multivariate regression the variables of education, household income level and household size significantly determined FI (p ˂ 0.05). Conclusion:The most important determinant of FI was low socioeconomic status (income, education, household size).Hence, public policies targeting socioeconomic factors should be made to improve the socioeconomic status of slum dwellers.

Prevalence of household food insecurity among a healthy Iranian population: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…According to the United Nations in 2021, there is a higher prevalence of FI since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the pandemic ( 4 ). The prevalence of household FI in north Iran has been estimated to be ~50.8% in total with 43.2% mild FI, 6.5% moderate FI, and 1.1% severe FI ( 5 ), which may have increased in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic and social issues.…”

“…Overnutrition can lead to chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, fatty liver, hypertension, poor mental health, and metabolic syndrome ( 13 – 17 ). As a result, a large burden is faced by the economy and society ( 5 ).…”

The association of food insecurity and cardiometabolic risk factors was independent of body mass index in Iranian women

“…These results are comparable to the rates reported in previous investigations in Iran that were collected in a meta-analysis, in which the prevalence of food insecurity was 49% among households, 61% in women, and 65% in the elderly [ 20 ]. In rural areas, the insecurity rate was similar to that in households (40–50%) [ 21 , 22 ] but in suburbs the rate was higher (82%) [ 23 ]…”

“…Participant's characteristics based on food insecurity levelsScores of food insecurity are as follows: food secure (0-1), mild food-insecure (2-8), moderate/severe food-insecure(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27) Data are expressed as n (%) or means ± SD a P value was determined by one-way analysis of variance for age and by chi-square for other variables…”

“…Scores of food insecurity are as follows: food secure (0-1), mild food-insecure(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8), moderate/severe food-insecure(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27) Data are presented as means ± SD with the exception of BMI which has also been reported by number and percentage a P values were determined by one-way analysis of variance (except for categorical BMI, for which chi-square was used)…”