Food and Nutrition Security Status of Rural Female-Headed Households in Lesotho

This study quantifies household-level socioeconomic drivers of food and nutrition insecurity in two rural Lesotho villages and translates those findings into clear monitorable pathways for sustainable development. Lesotho has a population of just over 2 million, of which 580,000 people live below the poverty line, and 24% (about 139,200) in the subset are experiencing extreme poverty, particularly in rural areas. Food and nutrition insecurity affects 61% of the population in rural areas and 39% in urban areas. The study aimed to determine the socioeconomic conditions and food security status of 126 females residing in Mpharane and Maqoala villages in the district of Mohale’s Hoek in Lesotho. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed, and the measurement instruments included a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Household Hunger Scale (HHS), the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), and a food frequency questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics. The results indicated that all the participants were mothers and caregivers living in overcrowded households, with 61% residing in one-room homes. Unemployment was a universal experience among the participants, resulting in severe food insecurity as 100% of the participants reduced the food intake of their children, as well as other household members, due to limited financial resources. The participants’ diet was predominantly cereal-based, with a mean cereal group intake of 26.70 (±8.53), and wheat was the most frequently consumed cereal (59.5%). By linking food security metrics (HHS, HFIAS, and food frequency) to household structure, unemployment, housing density, and cash access, the research produces evidence that can be used to design, prioritize, and evaluate interventions across the social, economic, environmental, and governance dimensions of sustainability. In conclusion, by defining measurable household-level links between socioeconomic conditions and food insecurity, this study provides baseline indicators and practical intervention targets aimed at achieving sustainable food systems, social equity, and economic resilience in rural Lesotho.