A systematic review of literature regarding food insecurity in Sweden. Issue 1 (31st July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rost, Stephanie; Lundälv, Jörgen
• Is Part Of: Analyses of social issues and public policy. Volume 21:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 1020
• Page End: 1032
• Publication Date: 2021-07-31
• Subjects: Social policy -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Social psychology -- Periodicals; 361.6105
• DOI: 10.1111/asap.12263
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1529-7489

Abstract

Abstract: Food insecurity is not a term that is traditionally utilized in relation to Sweden, which has a well‐established welfare state. In fact, the discussion around this issue appears to be predicated on the notion that it is a concept existing outside the country. However, European countries are in no way immune to the issue of food insecurity. The Food and Agricultural Organisation to the United Nations holds data on the levels of food insecurity gathered from the Gallup poll and this indicated increasing levels of moderate‐to‐severe insecurity among the population. This indicated a need to review the research and literature on food insecurity in Sweden. This was carried out using two of the largest databases SCOPUS and Public/Publisher MEDLINE (PubMed) as well as a search for gray data using Google Scholar. Following backward and forward searches, in total only five articles were deemed relevant for inclusion. These were discussed and show very limited analysis of the issue, with their connection to food insecurity in Sweden being either abstract or unfocussed on the issue directly. This demonstrates a fundamental gap in this area of research and leaves open questions as to why this is the case.