How do context variables affect food insecurity in Mexico? Implications for policy and governance

Area of Science:

• Environmental science and public health research.
• Socio-economic and political determinants of health.

Background:

• Food insecurity remains a significant challenge in Mexico, influenced by a complex interplay of environmental, social, and economic factors.
• Understanding the multi-level determinants of food insecurity is crucial for effective policy interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze how climate vulnerability and socio-economic/political factors at municipal and state levels contribute to food insecurity in Mexico.
• To adopt a systems perspective for a comprehensive understanding of food insecurity drivers.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study utilizing official secondary data from Mexico.
• Employed three-level multinomial hierarchical linear models for analysis.
• Data collected from Mexican states and municipalities in 2014, focusing on heads of households.

Main Results:

• At the municipal level, climate disaster vulnerability and poverty index were key predictors of food insecurity.
• At the state level, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the number of nutrition programs influenced food insecurity.
• Political party changes did not significantly predict food insecurity; predictor strength varied by food insecurity level.

Conclusions:

• Climate vulnerability and poverty are significant contributors to food insecurity, operating beyond household characteristics and food assistance programs.
• Effective food security governance necessitates a multisectoral approach to tackle hunger and ensure access to nutritious diets.