What can Secondary Data Tell Us about Household Food Insecurity in a High-Income Country Context?
Ourega-Zoé Ejebu1, Stephen Whybrow2, Lynda Mckenzie3
1Health Economics Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK. oejebu@abdn.ac.uk.
Summary
Secondary data analysis reveals that lower-income Scottish households face food insecurity, spending less on food but a higher proportion of income. Diet quality declined in these households, indicating insufficient data for comprehensive monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
- Socioeconomic Research
Background:
- Household food insecurity data is not routinely collected in Scotland.
- Understanding food insecurity is crucial for public health and policy interventions.
- Existing secondary data sources offer a limited view of the issue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nature and prevalence of household food insecurity in Scotland using secondary data.
- To assess differences in food expenditure and diet quality between income groups.
- To evaluate the sufficiency of secondary data for monitoring food insecurity.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of the Living Costs and Food Survey (2007–2012).
- Calculation of weekly food expenditure and its ratio to equivalised income for households below and above average income.
- Calculation of Diet Quality Index (DQI) scores using Living Costs and Food Survey and Scottish Health Survey (SHeS, 2008 and 2012) data.
Main Results:
- Households below average income (HBAI) spent less absolutely (£53.85/week) but proportionately more (29%) of their income on food and non-alcoholic drinks compared to non-HBAI (£86.73/week, 15%) in 2012.
- HBAI households were less likely to meet recommended fruit and vegetable intakes.
- The mean DQI score for HBAI households declined between 2008 and 2012 and was significantly lower than for non-HBAI households in 2012.
Conclusions:
- Secondary data provides a partial and limited picture of food insecurity prevalence and diet quality differences in Scotland.
- Current secondary data is insufficient for robust monitoring of food insecurity incidence and prevalence.
- Further research and improved data collection methods are needed to comprehensively assess and address household food insecurity in Scotland.
More Related Videos
08:38Novel Production Protocol for Small-scale Manufacture of Probiotic Fermented Foods
Published on: September 10, 2016
25.3K
08:43PTR-ToF-MS Coupled with an Automated Sampling System and Tailored Data Analysis for Food Studies: Bioprocess Monitoring, Screening and Nose-space Analysis
Published on: May 11, 2017
13.0K
Related Concept Videos
01:30Self Within Cultural Contexts
235
Cultural frameworks for understanding the self are often categorized into two broad orientations: individualism and collectivism. These paradigms influence how people define themselves, relate to others, and interpret their social worlds. Each orientation offers distinct perspectives on autonomy, responsibility, and the role of the individual within a community.Individualistic CulturesIn individualistic cultures like North America and Western Europe, identity is understood as autonomous and...
235
01:13Household Wiring And Electrical Safety
1.7K
Companies that supply power to most modern households use three conductors, typically called a three-wire line. While one is neutral, the other two are both at 120 V but with opposite polarity, giving a voltage of 240 V between them. With a three-wire line, high-power appliances that require 240 V, such as electric stoves and clothes dryers, are linked between the two hot lines. 120 V appliances can be connected between the neutral and either of the hot lines. The neutral side, which is always...
1.7K
01:55Secondary Active Transport
137.8K
One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme “pump” embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
137.8K
01:32Secondary Active Transport
9.6K
One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme "pump" embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
9.6K
01:11Secondary Healthcare System
2.1K
Secondary healthcare is offered by a specialist, generally in hospitals or clinics for patients referred by primary healthcare providers. It occurs when a person has an illness or injury that requires specific medical care. Secondary care is often referred to as acute care. Secondary care can range from uncomplicated care to repair a minor laceration or treat a strep throat infection to more complicated emergent care, such as treating a head injury sustained in an automobile accident. Whatever...
2.1K
03:02Primary and Secondary Growth in Roots and Shoots
60.5K
Vascular plants, which account for over 90% of the Earth’s vegetation, all undergo primary growth—which lengthens roots and shoots. Many land plants, notably woody plants, also undergo secondary growth—which thickens roots and shoots.
60.5K