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Is food insecurity a problem among the elderly in Sharpeville, South Africa?

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  • Wilna Oldewage-Theron

    (Texas Tech University)

  • Abdulkadir A. Egal

    (Vaal University of Technology)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of food and nutrition insecurity and assess the socio-demographic factors associated with food and nutrition insecurity among 146 free-living elderly persons attending a care centre in Sharpeville, South Africa. Measurement instruments included socio-demographic-, 24-hour-recall and dietary diversity questionnaires and the validated household food insecurity access scale/score (HFIAS). Data were analysed with IBM SPSS Software, version 25.0. The prevalence of food insecurity from HFIAS was 60% (n = 87), with a variety of balanced responses being employed. Significant relationships were observed between HFIAS and age (r = 0.301; p = 0.000) and with household income (r = −0.258; p = 0.007). An association was observed between HFIAS and marital status (p = 0.005). Regression analysis showed that age and being single were predictors of food and nutrition insecurity. This study indicated a problem of household food insecurity with poor dietary intakes among these elderly people, mostly due to poverty and being single. More research on associations between food security and socio-economic variables is needed to plan and implement appropriate strategies to address food and nutrition insecurity in South Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Wilna Oldewage-Theron & Abdulkadir A. Egal, 2021. "Is food insecurity a problem among the elderly in Sharpeville, South Africa?," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 13(1), pages 71-81, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ssefpa:v:13:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s12571-020-01125-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s12571-020-01125-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Natalia Kopylova & Talita Greyling & Stephanié Rossouw, 2022. "Multidimensional Quality of Life of Older Adults in South Africa," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(6), pages 3427-3450, December.
    3. Mjabuliseni Simon Cloapas Ngidi & Sinethemba Sibusisiwe Zulu & Temitope Oluwaseun Ojo & Simphiwe Innocentia Hlatshwayo, 2023. "Effect of Consumers’ Acceptance of Indigenous Leafy Vegetables and Their Contribution to Household Food Security," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-14, March.

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