Food insecurity and low income in an English inner city

Objective: To identify the extent of food insecurity (defined as running out of food in the last 12 months and being unable to afford to buy more) amongst older Australians, and the characteristics of those who experience this condition. Design: Cross-sectional population survey. Setting and subjects: Respondents (n ¼ 8881) were community-dwelling older people (65 years and older) living independently in New South Wales, Australia, randomly sampled to participate in a computer-assisted telephone interview conducted during 1999 -2000. The response rate was 71%. Responses to a food insecurity questionnaire item were collected along with sociodemographic information, living arrangements, lifestyle and self-rated health. Univariate analyses and logistic regression modelling of factors for reporting food insecurity were conducted.Results: Approximately one in 50 older people reported experiencing food insecurity in the previous 12 months attributable to inadequate finances. The analyses revealed that those at risk can be identified as more likely to report poorer health, limited financial resources, not owning their own home and living alone. Gender and age differences were also evident. Conclusion: While only a minority of older Australians reported experiencing food insecurity attributable to inadequate finances, such people are at higher risk of malnutrition and associated morbidity. Food insecurity is an important public health and equity issue in older people that can be addressed through implementing appropriate income and social support policies.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Food insecurity in community-dwelling older Australians

Quine

Morrell

2006

“…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.…”

Section: Prevalence Of Food Insecuritymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…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) .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Bocquier

Vieux

Lioret

et al. 2015

111

105

Objective: To assess the prevalence of household food insecurity (FI) in France and to describe its associations with socio-economic factors, health behaviours, diet quality and cost (estimated using mean food prices). Design: Cross-sectional nationally representative survey. FI was assessed using an adapted version of the US Department of Agriculture's Food Insufficiency Indicator; dietary intake was assessed using a 7 d open-ended food record; and individual demographic, socio-economic and behavioural variables were assessed using self-administered questionnaires and interviews. Individuals experiencing FI were compared with food-secure individuals, the latter being divided into four categories according to quartiles of their income per consumption unit (FS1 to FS4). Differences among categories were analysed using χ 2 tests, ANOVA and tests for trend. Results: Individuals experiencing FI represented 12·2 % of the population. They were on average younger, more frequently women and single parents with children compared with those in the other four categories. Their mean income per consumption unit was higher than that in the FS1 category, but they reported poorer material and housing conditions. The prevalence of smoking and the mean daily time spent watching television were also higher in the FI category. No significant difference among categories was found for energy intake, but mean intakes of fruits, vegetables and fish were lower, and diet quality was slightly but significantly poorer in the FI category. Daily diet cost was also lower in the FI category. Conclusions: France is not spared by FI. FI should be routinely monitored at the national level and research should be promoted to identify effective strategies to reduce nutrition inequalities in France.

“…Other potential determinants of food insecurity include belonging to an ethnic minority (10,(16)(17)(18) , having a lower level of education (10,(15)(16)(17) , being of younger age (16,19) and family type (single-parent family v. couples with children) (9,10,14,20) . Food insecurity may be associated with lower fruit and vegetable intakes (21)(22)(23)(24)(25) , lower consumption of lean meats (21,23) , poorer general health (13,20,21,23,(26)(27)(28)(29) , chronic conditions such as CVD (20,(30)(31)(32) and depression (26,27,(33)(34)(35)(36)(37) , and overweight or obesity among women (38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44) . There are several hypothesised mechanisms through which food insecurity may be associated with th...…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Food insecurity among adults residing in disadvantaged urban areas: potential health and dietary consequences

Ramsey

Giskes

Turrell

et al. 2011

168

169

Objective: Food insecurity is the limited or uncertain availability or access to nutritionally adequate, culturally appropriate and safe foods. Food insecurity may result in inadequate dietary intakes, overweight or obesity and the development of chronic disease. Internationally, few studies have focused on the range of potential health outcomes related to food insecurity among adults residing in disadvantaged locations and no such Australian studies exist. The objective of the present study was to investigate associations between food insecurity, sociodemographic and health factors and dietary intakes among adults residing in disadvantaged urban areas. Design: Data were collected by mail survey (n 505, 53 % response rate), which ascertained information about food security status, demographic characteristics (such as age, gender, household income, education) fruit and vegetable intakes, takeaway and meat consumption, general health, depression and chronic disease. Results: Approximately one in four households (25 %) was food insecure. Food insecurity was associated with lower household income, poorer general health, increased health-care utilisation and depression. These associations remained after adjustment for age, gender and household income. Conclusions: Food insecurity is prevalent in urbanised disadvantaged areas in developed countries such as Australia. Low-income households are at high risk of experiencing food insecurity. Food insecurity may result in significant health burdens among the population, and this may be concentrated in socio-economically disadvantaged suburbs.