Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: March | Volume: 7 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 301-307
Family Food Security - Factors Influencing
Archana Prabhat1, Khyrunnisa Begum2
1Department of PG studies in Food Science and Nutrition, Alva’s College, Moodbidri
2Department of Studies in Food Science & Nutrition, University of Mysore, Mysore
Corresponding Author: Archana Prabhat
ABSTRACT
Family food security is the ability of the household to secure enough food to meet nutrient requirements of all family members. This infers that food in terms of quality, quantity, safety, cultural acceptance, and future expectations are secured. The objective of the study is to study the food and nutrition security at Household level in selected families and to study the factors influencing the Food Security. Participants were selected from two taluks namely Karkala and Moodbidri from Dakshina Kannada. 350 families from each taluk formed the population, men and women heads aged more than 35 years were interviewed. Standard schedules were used to elicit information. Demographic profile including education and occupation, anthropometric measurements, weight, height, waist and hip circumference and MUAC were measured using standard procedures and equipments. 97% of the families with high economic status were secured, where in lower to the extent of 55%. Vegetarians and non vegetarian consuming families (72-76%) were secured. The food security among labourers (men v/s women) was 42 and 62%. And retired were satisfactorily secured. More than 50% of the educated females were secured. It is obvious in our findings that monitoring food security can help to identify and understand the basic aspect of well-being of the population and to identify population subgroups or regions with unusually conditions. The measurement of food security is crucial for projection of the need to introduce and monitor intervention programs by national and agencies.
Key words: Family food security, Nutrition security, Household, anthropometric assessment,