Options
Food Insecurity Prevalence, Severity and Determinants in Australian Households during the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Perspective of Women
Date Issued
2021-12
Date Available
2022-06-03T09:06:24Z
Abstract
This study aimed to describe the prevalence, severity and socio-demographic predictors of food insecurity in Australian households during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, from the perspective of women. A cross-sectional online survey of Australian (18–50 years) women was conducted. The survey collected demographic information and utilised the 18-item US Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Survey Module and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). A multivariable regression was used to identify predictors of food security status. In this cohort (n = 1005), 19.6% were living in households experiencing food insecurity; with 11.8% experiencing low food-security and 7.8% very low food-security. A further 13.7% of households reported marginal food-security. Poor mental health status (K10 score ≥ 20) predicted household food insecurity at all levels. The presence of more than three children in the household was associated with low food-security (OR 6.24, 95% CI: 2.59–15.03). Those who were renting were 2.10 (95% CI: 1.09–4.05) times likely to experience very low food-security than those owning their own home. The COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to an increased prevalence of household food insecurity. This study supports the need for a range of responses that address mental health, financial, employment and housing support to food security in Australia.
Other Sponsorship
Monash University
National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship
National Health & Medical Research Council
Type of Material
Journal Article
Publisher
MDPI
Journal
Nutrients
Volume
13
Issue
12
Copyright (Published Version)
2021 the Authors
Language
English
Status of Item
Peer reviewed
ISSN
2072-6643
This item is made available under a Creative Commons License
File(s)
No Thumbnail Available
Name
Food Insecurity Prevalence, Severity and Determinants in Australian Households during the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Perspec.pdf
Size
584.76 KB
Format
Owning collection
Scopus© citations
15
Acquisition Date
Mar 28, 2024
Mar 28, 2024
Views
188
Last Month
1
1
Acquisition Date
Mar 28, 2024
Mar 28, 2024
Downloads
53
Last Week
1
1
Last Month
4
4
Acquisition Date
Mar 28, 2024
Mar 28, 2024