A Food Insecurity Systematic Review: Experience from Malaysia
Norhasmah Sulaiman1,2,3, Heather Yeatman4, Joanna Russell4
1Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia.
Nutrients
|April 3, 2021
Summary
Household food insecurity is a significant issue in Malaysia, affecting vulnerable populations like the Orang Asli and students. High prevalence necessitates further research into risk factors and impacts.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
- Socioeconomic Studies
Background:
- Household food insecurity remains a critical challenge despite being a basic human right.
- Certain communities in Malaysia experience persistent food insecurity, impacting well-being.
- Understanding the multifaceted nature of this issue is crucial for effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize existing literature on household food insecurity in Malaysia.
- To identify vulnerable groups, prevalence rates, risk factors, coping mechanisms, and consequences.
- To provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of household food security in the region.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.
- Inclusion of 33 relevant articles sourced from scientific databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Google Scholar), reference lists, and expert communications.
- Analysis focused on prevalence, risk factors, coping strategies, and consequences of food insecurity.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of household food insecurity was unexpectedly reported across Malaysia.
- Vulnerable groups identified include Orang Asli, low-income households, welfare recipients, university students, and the elderly.
- Key risk factors include larger household size, poverty, and lower educational attainment. Coping strategies focus on increasing food accessibility.
- Consequences encompass psychological distress, poor dietary intake (macro- and micronutrients), compromised nutritional status, and adverse health outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Household food insecurity is an ongoing concern in Malaysia, affecting diverse population segments.
- The review highlights significant psychological, dietary, nutritional, and health impacts associated with food insecurity.
- Further extensive research is recommended to gain a more holistic understanding and inform policy development.
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