The scope
There has been extensive research on the variables that affect food security at the various levels today. Examining the elements that contribute to the primary characteristics of food security is necessary to determine the determinants of food insecurity.
Examining the factors that affect food availability and access—the two extensively researched aspects of family food insecurity—is crucial. Therefore, variables that cause changes in the supply and demand for food would also affect the availability and accessibility of food, respectively. Food insecurity inevitably follows from this effect.
A number of characteristics are associated with food insecurity at the household level. Policies that address the issues related to household hunger and food insecurity are important. It is essential to comprehend the traits and factors that contribute to food insecurity in households.
The size of the household, the distribution of income within it, the cost of food, and the status of employment.
Economic status
Poor households are not able to obtain enough resources or ensure today food security because of their low socioeconomic position. Because of this, they become more susceptible to having less access to food, which may discourage them from sharing it with other family members.
Unquestionably, one of the key factors impacting the population’s susceptibility to hunger and food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa is poverty. Though 1.4 million people worldwide live in poverty, developing nations are disproportionately afflicted. Since 1990, there has been a rise in the population of Sub-Saharan Africa living below the poverty level of one US dollar per day.
The impoverished are unable to pay for enough housing, good healthcare, or a good education for their families, let alone buy food for everyday needs. It is believed that being poor influences one’s ability to get resources for food. In Sub-Saharan Africa, food insecurity is caused by poverty in conjunction with other socioeconomic and political challenges.
Healthy food purchases and consumption—such as those of fruits and vegetables—are likewise uncommon in low-income homes.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, having a sufficient monthly income could help households’ food security situation. A number of studies carried out in Ghana and Nigeria showed that a household’s monthly income boosted food security in the home by a factor of 1.65.
Family Unit
Family Unit
A similar study found a link between household food insecurity and low income, which results in substandard living circumstances and a high rate of malnutrition in children under five. However, there are additional factors that contribute to childhood malnutrition, such as crowded living conditions and limited access to healthcare.
While it has been shown that households with greater food and health care costs are more likely to be food secure, the majority of underweight, stunting, and wasting cases were observed in food-insecure homes.
Number of people in a family
Number of people in a family
Sharing scarce goods among family members is one of the biggest issues facing Sub-Saharan African homes who experience today food insecurity. Compared to households with a small family size, those with a big family size face greater food insecurity and a greater strain on food consumption. A home’s food intake, distribution, and nutritional needs are determined by its structure, number of members, gender, and age.
These factors also typically have an impact on the level of food insecurity in a household.
Large families often have rivalry among members for the few resources provided to the household. Large households often eat fewer meals more frequently or in less quantities as a tactic, without giving their diet any thought.
Relationship between age and availability of food
Relationship between age and availability of food
Research has demonstrated a clear correlation between farm food output and the age of the head of the household. Compared to the younger age group, an increase in age reduces food production. Households led by older individuals were more likely than those headed by younger people to experience food insecurity.
According to Owusu and colleagues, an aging population has an impact on the food production and supply chain since older people are less able to actively participate in off-farm job activities that provide revenue for the home.
Gender and food production
Food security has been found to be significantly influenced by gender, and women play a role in ensuring food is available, accessible, and used. In Sub-Saharan Africa, women cultivate a greater variety of foods than males do. This phenomenon—that food insecurity affects households headed by women more than households headed by men—has been shown in South Africa and Nigeria.
According to the Food and Agricultural Organization, a significant portion of the world’s impoverished population resides in rural areas and depends mostly on agriculture for their income creation. Rural women’s access to land is restricted by gender discrimination, which inevitably reduces their ability to produce food.
Improving women’s status would boost agricultural output, which would raise household income and food availability. A male household head may allocate a portion of the income to non-food items and activities. Women who are able to participate in the household economy and make decisions are more likely to prioritize food, health services, and childcare when it comes to the household budget.
Literacy
Food insecurity in households is known to be correlated with educational attainment. It is a crucial factor in determining the availability, production, and consumption of food. Education not only increases the household’s income and food access, but it also opens up job prospects.
In order to improve household food security, education also assists farmers in implementing new technical inputs into their fields, and engaging in other revenue-generating activities. Proper food preparation and healthy eating habits are influenced by household heads who have completed more schooling, particularly women.
These enhance appropriate feeding procedures to stop childhood malnutrition. In low- and middle-income nations, issues related to health and nutrition have an impact on students’ ability.
Cost of food
Food production, national food supply, and family food security are all impacted by high food costs. 2008 saw a sharp rise in food costs. It made people more susceptible to food insecurity and prevented many from getting enough nourishment. About 80% of the income of the poorest households in developing nations, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, goes toward food.
In most Sub-Saharan African nations, there were multiple public protests due to the rise in food costs. By the end of 2008, the cost of staple foods was still relatively high—17% over average—when compared to prior years.
This development may also have an impact on national food supply and production. Food insecurity is influenced by a variety of supply chain and system-related factors, as well as absolute risk and vulnerabilities. Several factors can impact food security in Sub-Saharan Africa, including inadequate food distribution networks and restricted access to food markets. By focusing on access to food and food delivery infrastructure, the household food security dilemma may be mitigated.
Conclusion
A small household is less likely to negatively affect today food security at the household level than a bigger household. Smaller families put less additional strain on food costs relative to food output than larger households do. A larger family enhances the food security status of the household. However, older adults are less able to actively participate in hard labor activities to generate cash for the household’s needs.
As a result, achieving food security in that household may benefit from having a younger head of household.