Food insecurity and its related socioeconomic and nutritional factors: evidence from a sample of population in the northwest of Iran

Abstract

Food insecurity defined as limited access to enough food in a socially acceptable way, is associated with physical, social and psychological problems. In the present study we assess food insecurity status and related socioeconomic and nutritional factors in a sample of urban population in Tabriz, Iran. This cross-sectional study on 300 households (99 men and 201 women) was conducted among subjects in Qumtepe region in Tabriz. General and socioeconomic factors have been obtained from participants. Food security status and dietary intake were assessed by a 6-item short questionnaire and a 32-item food frequency questionnaire respectively. SPSS 11.5 was used for statistical analysis. The prevalence of food insecurity in the current study was 36%. Mean family size in food insecure group was significantly higher and body mass index (BMI) was significantly lower compared with food secure group. Subjects in food insecure group consumed lower amounts of dairy products (P<0.05). In the multinomial logistic regression model, being male subject, having lower income and lower BMI were potent predictors of food insecurity (P<0.05). In conclusion, food insecurity was prevalent in our study and was associated with BMI and several socioeconomic factors. Prospective studies are needed to further elucidate the causal relationship between variables.