Development & validation of the Greek version of the adult food security survey module

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Athanassios Michalis ◽  
Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos ◽  
Vassiliki Costarelli
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Healthy Adult ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Greek Language ◽  
Greek Version ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Adult Food ◽  
Health Objective

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity seems to be positively correlated with increased risk of malnutrition and poor health. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to develop and validate the Greek version of Adult Food Security Survey Module (AFSSM). METHODS: The AFSSM was translated to the Greek language forward and backward twice and subsequently was administered to 94 healthy adult individuals living in Greece. The participants had to complete the tool twice, within a period of 15 days. Fifty of the above participants also took part in a specifically designed structured interview, designed to assess food insecurity, for comparison purposes with the tested tool. Socioeconomic and anthropometric characteristics were also assessed. RESULTS: There was a significant positive correlation between the Greek AFSSM (AFSSM-Gr) and the results of the specifically designed structured interview, assessing food insecurity (r = 0.376, p <  0.01). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of reliability for the Greek AFSSM was good (α= 0.763). There was also a significant negative correlation between the age of the participants and the score of the AFSSM-Gr (r = –0.307, p <  0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The AFSSM-Gr can be considered as a useful tool for assessing Food Insecurity.

scholarly journals Characteristics associated with changes in food security status among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Soldavini ◽  
Hazael Andrew ◽  
Maureen Berner
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Security Module ◽  
Adult Food

Abstract The prevalence of food insecurity in the USA has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, past studies have not examined how the food security status of college students has been impacted. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the prevalence of food insecurity; determine the proportion of students experiencing a change in food security status; and identify characteristics associated with changes in food security status from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of college students. We administered a cross-sectional online survey to students from a large public university in the Southeastern USA. The 10-item U.S. Adult Food Security Module was used to assess food security status during the spring 2020 semester both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and students self-reported a variety of individual characteristics. The overall prevalence of food insecurity increased by approximately one-third during the spring 2020 semester from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic. When examining the types of changes in food security status experienced by students, 12% improved, 68% stayed the same, and 20% worsened. A variety of characteristics were associated with an improvement or worsening of food security status category from before to during the pandemic. Similar to what is seen in other reports, we found that the overall proportion of college students in our sample experiencing food insecurity increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, some students showed improvements in food security status. Approaches for addressing food insecurity during and beyond the pandemic are needed.

scholarly journals Effects of Maternal food Insecurity on Birth Weight of Neonates: A Prospective Cohort

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 524-530
Author(s):  
Ayesha Saeed ◽  
Mobina Naqvi ◽  
Ahsan Javed
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Increased Risk

Pakistani population is seriously malnutritioned and is hunger redisposed. Based on the Global Hunger Index Pakistan is ranked at 107 of 118 countries .Food insecurity is among major causes of under-nutrition and has been associated with low birth weights. This study aimed to assess the effect of maternal foodinsecurity on birth weight of neonates in Lahore, Pakistan.Ina prospective cohort conducted at Shalamar Hospital Lahore; from April to August 2016, written informed consents were obtained from 103 eligible pregnant women. Data on demography was collected through a structured questionnaire and exposure wasassessed through 6-items Version of U.S. Household Food Security Survey and cohort was followed until delivery, and birth weight was recorded. Follow up could be completed for 50 women only and response rate was 49%. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and relative risk and multinomial logistic Regression were applied using SPSS version 22. Mean maternal age was 28.100+4.824 years, mean education was 12.400+2.138 years, mean BMI was 29.420+5.075 and mean household income was PKR 25641+16251.543. With these characteristics, the mean birth weight of2.814+0.551 kg was recorded. Four percent (n=2) had very low food security and 34% (n=17) women had low food security. Importantly, food unsecured women had a 5.439 times increased risk of delivering a low birth weight neonate (RR=5.439, CI=1.710-17.296, p=0.002). Regression analysis indicated a significant association (AOR 16.076, CI=2.381-108.564, p=0.004).Based onthese studies, it was concluded that food insecurity in pregnancy is associated with low birth weight in neonates. Antenatal screening of food insecurity and timely provision food supplements through social welfare can help reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality.

scholarly journals Sex Differences in the Association Between Food Insecurity and Obesity Among College Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 181-181
Author(s):  
Aseel El Zein ◽  
Karla Shelnutt ◽  
Sarah Colby ◽  
Geoffrey Greene ◽  
Wenjun Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
High Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to assess the association between food insecurity and obesity and to examine whether it varies by sex. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in spring 2017 among college students from eight U.S. institutions. Participants (n = 683) completed the USDA Adult Food Security Survey and had their weight and height measured by researchers. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the sex-specific associations between food insecurity and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), after adjusting for socioeconomic covariates. Results Overall, 25.4% of students identified as food insecure and 10.5% were obese. The prevalence of obesity increased as the level of food insecurity increased, from 5.2% for those with high food security, 13.4% for those with marginal food security, to 17.4% and 21.6% for students with low and very low food security. In logistic regression analysis, marginal, low and very low food security students had an odds ratio of 2.83 (95% CI: 1.43, 5.57), 3.86 (95% CI: 1.88, 7.91), and 5.05 (95% CI:, 2.44, 10.48) of obesity compared to students with high food security, exhibiting a dose-response relationship. Among females, having marginal (OR = 4.21, 95% CI: 1.70, 9.75), low (OR = 4.51, 95% CI: 1.40, 12.47), or very low food security (OR = 7.08, 95% CI: 2.60, 18.41) predicted higher odds of obesity compared to female students with high food security. Among males, those with low food security had higher odds of obesity (OR = 6.40, 95% CI: 1.78, 20.7). Conclusions The association between food insecurity and obesity in U.S. college students remained after adjustment for multiple socio-economic factors. Overall, food insecure females experienced an increase in the risk of obesity as food insecurity increased; however, only males with low food security had an increased risk of obesity. Programs directed toward obesity prevention need to address any level of food insecurity as a risk factor in females, and target males with low food security. Although beyond the scope of this study, it is possible that programs to reduce food insecurity may help prevent obesity in college students. Funding Sources This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2014–67,001-21,851.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity Is Associated With Cardiovascular and All‐Cause Mortality Among Adults in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yangbo Sun ◽  
Buyun Liu ◽  
Shuang Rong ◽  
Yang Du ◽  
Guifeng Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sampling Weights ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Mortality ◽  
Disease Mortality ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Us

Background Food insecurity is a global leading public health challenge that affects not only developing countries but also developed countries, including the United States. About 50 million Americans are food insecure. In this study we examined the associations of the adult food insecurity with all‐cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in a nationally representative sample of US adults. Methods and Results We included 27 188 US adults (age ≥40 years of age) who participated in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2014. Food insecurity status was assessed using the Food Security Survey Module developed by the US Department of Agriculture. Mortality from all causes and cardovascular disease was ascertained through data linkage to the National Death Index through December 31, 2015. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression with sampling weights to estimate hazard ratios ( HR s) and 95% CIs of all‐cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, according to food security status. During 205 389 person‐years of the period, 5039 deaths occurred, including 1084 cardiovascular disease deaths. After adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, and dietary and lifestyle factors, participants with very low food security had higher risk of all‐cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, with multivariable‐adjusted HR s of 1.32 (95% CI , 1.07–1.62), and 1.53 (95% CI, 1.04–2.26), respectively, compared with those with high food security. Conclusions Food insecurity is significantly associated with increased risk of excess death from cardiovascular disease and all causes in US adults.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity and Anthropometry in Adolescents: A Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (F) ◽  
pp. 234-240
Author(s):  
Nikmah Utami Dewi ◽  
Nurulfuadi Nurulfuadi ◽  
Ummu Aiman ◽  
Diah Ayu Hartini ◽  
Fendi Pradana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Pubmed Central ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Height For Age ◽  
Weight For Age ◽  
Actual Relationship

BACKGROUND: The increased risk of malnutrition is affected by food insecurity. Studies in adolescents still show mixed results.  AIM: This article aimed to evaluate the association between food insecurity and anthropometry measurements in studies involving adolescents.  MATERIALS AND METHODS: The databases used to obtain the literature were PubMed, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, and PubMed Central. The keywords used were food security, food insecurity, hunger, malnutrition, obesity, adolescence, adolescents, teenagers, teens, and youth in studies published from 2010 to 2019. A total of 12 articles were used in this review.  RESULTS: The association between food insecurity and the incidence of malnutrition in adolescents in various regions is still diverse. Food insecurity had a negative correlation with BMI-for-age in three studies (33.3%), but one study (11.1%) showed the opposite result. Food insecurity was positively related to low height-for-age (stunting) in 50% of studies, while five other studies (55.6%) showed that food insecurity was not related to BMI-for-age or weight-for-age. Three studies (50%) showed that there was no association between food insecurity and height-for-age.  CONCLUSION: Longitudinal studies, such as Cohort studies, need to be conducted to ensure the actual relationship between food insecurity and nutritional status in various regions.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity and Mental Health Outcomes among Low Income, Minority Cohorts during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sai Kodukula ◽  
Amy Han
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Anecdotal Evidence ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
The Impact

Objective:   To examine the impact of the COVID-19 shutdowns on food insecurity and mental health outcomes among low income, minority communities in Northwest Indiana.    Methods:   Surveys were distributed to 160 households during the Northwest Indiana food bank distribution hours to assess food security mental health status. The survey assessed participant food security through questions adapted from the USDA food security survey module. Participant anxiety, depression, and stress scores were aggregated from questions adapted from the PHQ-4. A multiple logit regression model was utilized to estimate the risk associated with food security status and the surveyed variables. Anecdotal evidence was also collected to understand pandemic specific factors impacting participant food security.     Results:   Food insecurity was linked to significantly increased risk of anxiety, depression and stress. Those who identify to be food insecure have an 811 % increased risk of anxiety, 411% increased risk of depression, and 535% increased risk of stress compared to those who are food secure. In addition, a significant correlation exists between median household income and poor mental health. Anecdotal evidence identifies poor job security, food distributions, and support networks as exacerbating factors towards participant’s declining mental health.     Conclusions:   Our findings highlights the exacerbated impact the pandemic has had on the food security and mental health of vulnerable populations. In the light of these results and anecdotal feedback, public health measures must focus on getting increased funding towards local food banks to increase the frequency of mobile distribution markets coupled with direct subsidies to allow for food purchases, especially for those households with children. Given its impact on mental health, food insecurity status should regularly be screened by physicians access to the right resources must be provided for those screening as high risk.   

scholarly journals Food Security Condition of Landless People in a Char Area of Rangpur District

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 281-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Shahiduzzaman ◽  
MZ Rahman ◽  
MJ Hoque ◽  
MS Arefin
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Calorie Intake ◽  
Training Experience ◽  
Annual Household Income ◽  
Interview Schedule ◽  
Calorie Consumption ◽  
Relationship Of

The study was conducted to investigate the food security condition of households of landless char people at Purba Isli village of Lakshmitary union, Gangachara Upazila of Rangpur District. Data were collected from a random sample of 80 where the total landless char people were 400. A structured interview schedule was used for collecting data during April to May 2012. Food security condition of households of landless char people was measured on the basis of their per capita calorie consumption per day. Coefficient of correlation (r) was computed to explore relationship of the respondents’ selected characteristics and their food security condition. More than half (57.5 per cent) of the households were food secure and energy intake was 2122 kcal/person/day. On the other hand, 21.3 per cent household were food insecure and consumed between 1805 and 2121 kcal/person/ day and 21.3 per cent households were found severely food insecure and calorie intake was less than 1805 kcal/person/day. Thus, it can be concluded that nearly half of the landless char people were food insecure. Landless char people’s year of schooling, landlessness category, annual household income, training experience, and credit received, extension media contact, involvement in NGO, perceived strategies to cope with food insecurity and perception of organizational food insecurity mitigation initiatives had significant positive relationship with their household food security condition.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v24i1-2.19180 Progress. Agric. 24(1&2): 281 - 289, 2013

scholarly journals Perception of needs and responses in food security: divergence between households and stakeholders

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1389-1396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Marie Hamelin ◽  
Céline Mercier ◽  
Annie Bédard
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Community Gardens ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Quebec City ◽  
Community Programmes ◽  
Donor Agencies ◽  
Food Insecure Households ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of the study was (i) to describe the needs of food-insecure households and their assessment of community programmes, as expressed by households and perceived by stakeholders; and (ii) to examine the similarities and differences between households’ and stakeholders’ perceptions in Quebec City area.Design/setting/subjectsA semi-structured interview and sociodemographic questionnaire with fifty-five households and fifty-nine stakeholders (community workers, managers, donor agencies). The transcriptions were subjected to content analysis and inter-coder reliability measurement.ResultsThe respondents’ perceptions converge towards three main categories of needs: needs specific to food security, conditions necessary for achieving food security and related needs. There was agreement on the necessity of better financial resources, although the impact of financial resources alone may be uncertain in the opinion of some stakeholders. Different perceptions of needs and of their fulfilment by community programmes emerge between both groups. Despite households found positive aspects, they complained that quality of food and access were major needs neglected. Their account suggests overall a partial fit between the programmes and food security needs; even a combination of programmes (e.g. collective kitchens, purchasing groups, community gardens) was insufficient to adequately meet these needs. In contrast, most stakeholders perceived that the household’s primary need was a basic amount of food and that the households were satisfied with programmes.ConclusionsIt is urgent to evaluate the overall effect of community programmes on specific aspects of household food insecurity. The results emphasise that community programmes alone cannot bring about social change needed to prevent food insecurity.

scholarly journals Foodscapes in urban spaces of Africa: implications for food and nutrition security among the urban poor

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Fidelia A. A. Dake
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Urban Spaces ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
Sub Saharan

Food security has been a global development agenda for several decades, and rightly so: nearly 945 million people were food insecure in 2005 and a decade later, this number declined to 784 million in 2014, only to rise to 821 million three years later in 2017. These global figures, however, mask variations in the extent of progress in different regions of the world. Progress towards achieving food security has been much slower in sub-Saharan Africa, and the region continues to be the worst hit by food insecurity. Furthermore, it is increasingly being recognised that food insecurity is prevalent in urban, and not just rural areas, and that the urban poor rather than the rural poor are particularly vulnerable, and at increased risk of being food insecure. Additionally, nutrition insecurity, a closely related component of food insecurity, is common among the urban poor and contributes to malnutrition. While several factors have been explored in trying to address the issue of food security, the potential role of foodscapes in urban spaces of Africa has been less researched. Recent evidence, however, indicates that foodscapes in urban areas of sub-Saharan Africa potentially contribute to food and nutrition insecurity, particularly among the urban poor. Addressing food and nutrition insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa will thus first require reframing the discourse about these issues from solely a rural to also an urban problem, and secondly improving access, especially availability of healthy and nutritious options that are also economically accessible, for vulnerable and at-risk groups; in particularly, the urban poor.

scholarly journals Anticipated impacts of Brexit scenarios on UK food prices and implications for policies on poverty and health: a structured expert judgement approach

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e032376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martine Jayne Barons ◽  
Willy Aspinall
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Price Change ◽  
Credible Interval ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Food Price ◽  
Expert Judgement ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Increased Risk

IntroductionFood insecurity is associated with increased risk for several health conditions and with poor chronic disease management. Key determinants for household food insecurity are income and food costs. Whereas short-term household incomes are likely to remain static, increased food prices would be a significant driver of food insecurity.ObjectivesTo investigate food price drivers for household food security and its health consequences in the UK under scenarios of Deal and No-deal for Britain’s exit from the European Union. To estimate the 5% and 95% quantiles of the projected price distributions.DesignStructured expert judgement elicitation, a well-established method for quantifying uncertainty, using experts. In July 2018, each expert estimated the median, 5% and 95% quantiles of changes in price for 10 food categories under Brexit Deal and No-deal to June 2020 assuming Brexit had taken place on 29 March 2019. These were aggregated based on the accuracy and informativeness of the experts on calibration questions.ParticipantsTen specialists with expertise in food procurement, retail, agriculture, economics, statistics and household food security.ResultsWhen combined in proportions used to calculate Consumer Price Index food basket costs, median food price change for Brexit with a Deal is expected to be +6.1% (90% credible interval −3% to +17%) and with No-deal +22.5% (90% credible interval +1% to +52%).ConclusionsThe number of households experiencing food insecurity and its severity is likely to increase because of expected sizeable increases in median food prices after Brexit. Higher increases are more likely than lower rises and towards the upper limits, these would entail severe impacts. Research showing a low food budget leads to increasingly poor diet suggests that demand for health services in both the short and longer terms is likely to increase due to the effects of food insecurity on the incidence and management of diet-sensitive conditions.

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