Evaluation of food insecurity and associated factors in women of childbearing age: A community‐based study from Turkey
Abstract Food security is an important factor in ensuring a healthy diet. However, it has been reported that women are more vulnerable to food insecurity than men in many countries. In addition, there is little evidence that Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence is associated with a lower risk of food i...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Food Science & Nutrition |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3743 |
| _version_ | 1797348502979739648 |
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| author | Gizem Aytekin Sahin Ozge Mengi Celik |
| author_facet | Gizem Aytekin Sahin Ozge Mengi Celik |
| author_sort | Gizem Aytekin Sahin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Food security is an important factor in ensuring a healthy diet. However, it has been reported that women are more vulnerable to food insecurity than men in many countries. In addition, there is little evidence that Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence is associated with a lower risk of food insecurity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate food insecurity and associated factors in women of childbearing age. In addition, women's adherence to MD and its relationship with food insecurity were evaluated. This descriptive and cross‐sectional study was conducted with 2675 adult women aged 18–49. The demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, nutritional habits, compliance with the MD, and the level of food insecurity were evaluated using the structured, self‐administered, web‐based questionnaire form. The mean age of the individuals was 29.5 ± 10.35 years. 21.6% of individuals had food insecurity, and 5.2% had severe food insecurity. 36.4% of the individuals adhere to the MD. There was a statistically significant difference between the individuals with and without food security regarding age, marital status, and income status (p < .05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of the Mediterranean diet adherence score (MEDAS) and MEDAS classification between individuals with and without food security (p > .05). It was determined that age, marital status, and income status affected food insecurity (R2 = 0.374; p < .001). Also, it was determined that age, number of main meals and snacks, and income status affected adherence to MD (R2 = 0.286; p < .001). In conclusion, considering the fragility of women in food insecurity, more comprehensive studies should be conducted in this area to better define the factors associated with food insecurity in women and inform policymakers. In addition, the results of this study can shed light on comprehensive intervention studies in this area. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T12:06:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-94d30810b9e5403e98965f24e9812c8f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2048-7177 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T12:06:50Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Food Science & Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-94d30810b9e5403e98965f24e9812c8f2024-01-23T07:22:47ZengWileyFood Science & Nutrition2048-71772024-01-0112115416110.1002/fsn3.3743Evaluation of food insecurity and associated factors in women of childbearing age: A community‐based study from TurkeyGizem Aytekin Sahin0Ozge Mengi Celik1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences Nuh Naci Yazgan University Kayseri TurkeyDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Gulhane Faculty of Health Sciences University of Health Sciences Ankara TurkeyAbstract Food security is an important factor in ensuring a healthy diet. However, it has been reported that women are more vulnerable to food insecurity than men in many countries. In addition, there is little evidence that Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence is associated with a lower risk of food insecurity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate food insecurity and associated factors in women of childbearing age. In addition, women's adherence to MD and its relationship with food insecurity were evaluated. This descriptive and cross‐sectional study was conducted with 2675 adult women aged 18–49. The demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, nutritional habits, compliance with the MD, and the level of food insecurity were evaluated using the structured, self‐administered, web‐based questionnaire form. The mean age of the individuals was 29.5 ± 10.35 years. 21.6% of individuals had food insecurity, and 5.2% had severe food insecurity. 36.4% of the individuals adhere to the MD. There was a statistically significant difference between the individuals with and without food security regarding age, marital status, and income status (p < .05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of the Mediterranean diet adherence score (MEDAS) and MEDAS classification between individuals with and without food security (p > .05). It was determined that age, marital status, and income status affected food insecurity (R2 = 0.374; p < .001). Also, it was determined that age, number of main meals and snacks, and income status affected adherence to MD (R2 = 0.286; p < .001). In conclusion, considering the fragility of women in food insecurity, more comprehensive studies should be conducted in this area to better define the factors associated with food insecurity in women and inform policymakers. In addition, the results of this study can shed light on comprehensive intervention studies in this area.https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3743childbearing age womenfood insecurityMediterranean diet |
| spellingShingle | Gizem Aytekin Sahin Ozge Mengi Celik Evaluation of food insecurity and associated factors in women of childbearing age: A community‐based study from Turkey Food Science & Nutrition childbearing age women food insecurity Mediterranean diet |
| title | Evaluation of food insecurity and associated factors in women of childbearing age: A community‐based study from Turkey |
| title_full | Evaluation of food insecurity and associated factors in women of childbearing age: A community‐based study from Turkey |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of food insecurity and associated factors in women of childbearing age: A community‐based study from Turkey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of food insecurity and associated factors in women of childbearing age: A community‐based study from Turkey |
| title_short | Evaluation of food insecurity and associated factors in women of childbearing age: A community‐based study from Turkey |
| title_sort | evaluation of food insecurity and associated factors in women of childbearing age a community based study from turkey |
| topic | childbearing age women food insecurity Mediterranean diet |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3743 |
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