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Food Insecurity in Advanced Capitalist Nations: A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Michael A. Long

    (Department of Sociology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA)

  • Lara Gonçalves

    (Department of Sociology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA)

  • Paul B. Stretesky

    (Department of Social Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE18ST, UK)

  • Margaret Anne Defeyter

    (Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7XA, UK)

Abstract

Food insecurity is a substantial problem in nearly every advanced capitalist nation, with sizable portions of residents in many affluent countries struggling to eat healthily every day. Over time, a very large literature has developed that documents food insecurity, evaluates programs meant to reduce that insecurity, and proposes solutions to attenuate the problem. The purpose of the current review is to provide a very broad overview of the food insecurity literature, including definitions, measurement, areas of study, and impacts on health. Importantly, this review suggests there are two major causes of food insecurity in the advanced nations: economic inequality and neoliberalism. The food insecurity literature suggests that diminished government responsibility in advanced capitalist nations corresponds to an increase in feeding programs run by non-profit and charitable organizations. This review concludes by suggesting that, while a massive amount of research on food insecurity currently exists, more research is still needed to address gaps in the literature when it comes to significant events, coping strategies and disadvantaged populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael A. Long & Lara Gonçalves & Paul B. Stretesky & Margaret Anne Defeyter, 2020. "Food Insecurity in Advanced Capitalist Nations: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:9:p:3654-:d:353127
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Giaime Berti & Claudia Giordano & Mariavaleria Mininni, 2021. "Assessing the Transformative Potential of Food Banks: The Case Study of Magazzini Sociali (Italy)," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-20, March.
    3. Hanna Dudek & Joanna Myszkowska-Ryciak & Agnieszka Wojewódzka-Wiewiórska, 2021. "Profiles of Food Insecurity: Similarities and Differences across Selected CEE Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-19, August.
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    9. Hanna Dudek & Joanna Myszkowska-Ryciak, 2020. "The Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Correlates of Food Insecurity in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-16, August.
    10. Davis, Natalie & Jarvis, Andrew & Polhill, J. Gareth, 2022. "Co-evolution of network structure and consumer inequality in a spatially explicit model of energetic resource acquisition," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 608(P1).
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