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Food Insecurity and Socioeconomic Disadvantage in Australia

Author

Listed:
  • Ami N. Seivwright

    (Centre for Social Impact UWA Business School, The University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Australia)

  • Zoe Callis

    (Centre for Social Impact UWA Business School, The University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Australia)

  • Paul Flatau

    (Centre for Social Impact UWA Business School, The University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Australia)

Abstract

Research on food insecurity in Australia has typically relied on a single-item measure and finds that approximately 5% of the population experiences food insecurity. This research also finds that demographic characteristics such as household composition and marital status affect levels of food insecurity, independent of income level. The present study examines the prevalence and correlates of food insecurity in a cohort (n = 400) of people experiencing entrenched disadvantage in Perth, Western Australia. Using the US Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Survey Module, we find that food insecurity at the household, adult, and child level is at sharply elevated levels, with 82.8% of the sample reporting household food insecurity, 80.8% and 58.3% experiencing food insecurity among adults and children, respectively. Demographic characteristics do not significantly affect levels of food insecurity, and food insecurity is associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes. Food insecurity is positively correlated with access to food emergency relief services, indicating that these services are being used by those most in need, but do not address the root causes of food insecurity. Policy and practice should focus on increasing stable access to adequate quantities and quality of food and addressing the structural causes of food insecurity.

Suggested Citation

  • Ami N. Seivwright & Zoe Callis & Paul Flatau, 2020. "Food Insecurity and Socioeconomic Disadvantage in Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:2:p:559-:d:309131
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alaimo, K. & Briefel, R.R. & Frongillo Jr., E.A. & Olson, C.M., 1998. "Food insufficiency exists in the United States: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III)," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 88(3), pages 419-426.
    2. Fiona H. McKay & Bronte C. Haines & Matthew Dunn, 2019. "Measuring and Understanding Food Insecurity in Australia: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-27, February.
    3. Christina M Pollard & Sue Booth, 2019. "Food Insecurity and Hunger in Rich Countries—It Is Time for Action against Inequality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-13, May.
    4. Sue Kleve & Sue Booth & Zoe E. Davidson & Claire Palermo, 2018. "Walking the Food Security Tightrope—Exploring the Experiences of Low-to-Middle Income Melbourne Households," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-19, October.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Christina Mary Pollard & Timothy John Landrigan & Jennie Margaret Gray & Lockie McDonald & Helen Creed & Sue Booth, 2021. "Using the Food Stress Index for Emergency Food Assistance: An Australian Case Series Analysis during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Natural Disasters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-15, June.
    3. Tahna L. Pettman & Carmel Williams & Sue Booth & Deborah Wildgoose & Christina M. Pollard & John Coveney & Julie-Anne McWhinnie & Marian McAllister & Carolyn Dent & Rory Spreckley & Jonathan D. Buckle, 2022. "A Food Relief Charter for South Australia—Towards a Shared Vision for Pathways Out of Food Insecurity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-16, June.
    4. Ned Marshall & Carolyn Bendotti & Jessica Charlesworth & Barbara Mullan & Chloe Maxwell-Smith, 2024. "Food Banks as a “Treasure Trove”: Users’ Experiences of a Western Australian Food Relief Organization," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(8), pages 1-16, August.

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