Food insecurity: Its prevalence and relationship to fruit and vegetable consumption. Issue 5 (17th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Turnbull, O.; Homer, M.; Ensaff, H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of human nutrition and dietetics. Volume 34:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 849
• Page End: 857
• Publication Date: 2021-03-17
• Subjects: diet -- food insecurity -- food security -- fruit -- fruit and vegetable consumption -- vegetables; Dietetics -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 613.205
• DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12866
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-3871

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Food insecurity in UK households is a substantial and growing concern. The present study identified those at risk of food insecurity and explored the relationship between food security and fruit and vegetable consumption. Methods: Data were examined from the Food and You survey (2016) for a large representative sample ( n = 3118) living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. A 'Food Security Score' and a 'Food Changes Score' (relating to financially driven changes to food habits) were compiled and relationships with fruit and vegetable consumption were examined. Results: The prevalence of marginal, low and very low food security was 12.6%, 5.4% and 2.8%, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between food security and fruit and vegetable consumption. Food security and food changes, independently, were significant predictors for fruit and vegetable consumption. With every unit increment in the Food Security Score (i.e., more food insecure), an 11% decrease in the odds of being a high fruit and vegetable consumer was evident. Likewise, the odds of being a high fruit and vegetable consumer decreases by 5% with every increment in the financially driven Food Changes Score. Conclusions: A notable proportion (more than one‐fifth) experienced marginal, low or very low food security. Food insecurity and financially driven food changes were accompanied by decreases in the odds of being a high fruit and vegetable consumer. Findings underline the potential consequences of food insecurity, and point to further work aiming to examine other dietary implications, as well as strategies to mitigate against food insecurity and its detriment. Abstract : Data were examined for a large representative sample ( n = 3118) of adults living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. A 'Food Security Score' and a 'Food Changes Score' (relating to financially driven changes to food habits) were compiled and relationships with fruit and vegetable consumption were examined. Significant correlations were observed between food security and fruit and vegetable consumption.