Is food insecurity a problem among the elderly in Sharpeville, South Africa?

Wilna Oldewage-Theron and Abdulkadir A. Egal ()
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Wilna Oldewage-Theron: Texas Tech University
Abdulkadir A. Egal: Vaal University of Technology

Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, 2021, vol. 13, issue 1, No 7, 81 pages

Abstract: Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of food and nutrition insecurity and assess the socio-demographic factors associated with food and nutrition insecurity among 146 free-living elderly persons attending a care centre in Sharpeville, South Africa. Measurement instruments included socio-demographic-, 24-hour-recall and dietary diversity questionnaires and the validated household food insecurity access scale/score (HFIAS). Data were analysed with IBM SPSS Software, version 25.0. The prevalence of food insecurity from HFIAS was 60% (n = 87), with a variety of balanced responses being employed. Significant relationships were observed between HFIAS and age (r = 0.301; p = 0.000) and with household income (r = −0.258; p = 0.007). An association was observed between HFIAS and marital status (p = 0.005). Regression analysis showed that age and being single were predictors of food and nutrition insecurity. This study indicated a problem of household food insecurity with poor dietary intakes among these elderly people, mostly due to poverty and being single. More research on associations between food security and socio-economic variables is needed to plan and implement appropriate strategies to address food and nutrition insecurity in South Africa.

Keywords: Coping; Dietary intakes; Elderly; Food insecurity; HFIAS; Socioeconomics; South Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1007/s12571-020-01125-9

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