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Food Security, Dietary Intake, and Foodways of Urban Low-Income Older South African Women: An Exploratory Study

Author

Listed:
  • Feyisayo A Odunitan-Wayas

    (Research Centre for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport, Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa)

  • Mieke Faber

    (Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa)

  • Amy E Mendham

    (Research Centre for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport, Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
    SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Julia H Goedecke

    (Research Centre for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport, Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
    Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa)

  • Lisa K Micklesfield

    (Research Centre for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport, Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
    SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Naomi E Brooks

    (Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK)

  • Dirk L Christensen

    (Section of Global Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, 1014 Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Iain J Gallagher

    (Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK)

  • Kathryn H Myburgh

    (Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa)

  • Angus M Hunter

    (Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK)

  • Estelle V Lambert

    (Research Centre for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport, Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa)

Abstract

This cross-sectional study explored the differences in sociodemographics, dietary intake, and household foodways (cultural, socioeconomic practices that affect food purchase, consumption, and preferences) of food secure and food insecure older women living in a low-income urban setting in South Africa. Women ( n = 122) aged 60–85 years old were recruited, a sociodemographic questionnaire was completed, and food security categories were determined. The categories were dichotomised into food secure (food secure and mild food insecurity) and food insecure (moderate and severe). A one-week quantified food frequency questionnaire was administered. Height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI, kg/m 2 ). Most participants (>90%) were overweight/obese, unmarried/widowed, and breadwinners with a low monthly household income. Food insecure participants (36.9%) more frequently borrowed money for food (57.8% vs. 39.0%, p = 0.04), ate less so that their children could have more to eat (64.4%. vs. 27.3%, p = 0.001), and had higher housing density (1.2 vs. 1.0, p = 0.03), compared to their food-secure counterparts. Overall, <30% of participants met the WHO (Geneva, Switzerland) recommended daily servings of healthy foods (fruits, vegetables, and dairy products), but >60% perceived that they consumed an adequate amount of healthy foods. The overall low-quality diet of our cohort was associated with poor nutritional perceptions and choices, coupled with financial constraints.

Suggested Citation

  • Feyisayo A Odunitan-Wayas & Mieke Faber & Amy E Mendham & Julia H Goedecke & Lisa K Micklesfield & Naomi E Brooks & Dirk L Christensen & Iain J Gallagher & Kathryn H Myburgh & Angus M Hunter & Estelle, 2021. "Food Security, Dietary Intake, and Foodways of Urban Low-Income Older South African Women: An Exploratory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:3973-:d:533224
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jae Yeon Park & Arlette Saint Ville & Timothy Schwinghamer & Hugo Melgar-Quiñonez, 2019. "Heterogeneous factors predict food insecurity among the elderly in developed countries: insights from a multi-national analysis of 48 countries," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 11(3), pages 541-552, June.
    2. Courtney Gallaher & John Kerr & Mary Njenga & Nancy Karanja & Antoinette WinklerPrins, 2013. "Urban agriculture, social capital, and food security in the Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 30(3), pages 389-404, September.
    3. Jane Battersby, 2011. "Urban food insecurity in Cape Town, South Africa: An alternative approach to food access," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(4), pages 545-561, October.
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