Factors affecting food security in women enrolled in a program for vulnerable group development
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Background: Food security is defined as physical and economic access to sufficient food to meet the dietary requirements for a productive and healthy life. Evidence from the literature suggests that >800 million people worldwide are food insecure. Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) is the largest social safety net of the Government of Bangladesh targeting ultra-poor women to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Objectives: The objective of this study is to explore the factors associated with food security among VGD women in Bangladesh.
Methods: A total of 870 women (435/group) participated in the baseline survey and another 800 women (400/group) participated in the endline survey. Participants in the intervention group received monthly rations of 30 kg fortified rice (FFR) and the control group received 30 kg of non-FFR for 12 mo. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to establish both crude and confounder-adjusted relations between the primary outcome and response variables. Written consent was proved by study participants. This study (PR-14091) was approved by the Research Review Committee and Ethical Review Committee.
Results: Severe food insecurity in the endline survey decreased from ∼50% to 6.3% in both groups. The hunger scale also improved between the baseline and endline survey. More than 97% of respondents at endline reported no hunger compared with 80% at baseline; only 3% of women in both groups reported moderate hunger at endline. Multivariable regression model showed that ownership of a house and land for agriculture, wealth index (richest quintile), and absence of fever were significantly associated with food security (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Our analysis shows that the VGD rice distribution program significantly improves the food security status of vulnerable women; however, ownership of a house and land for agriculture were the most significant factors associated with household food security in VGD program areas of Bangladesh.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | nzaa037 |
Journal | Current Developments in Nutrition |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 4 |
Number of pages | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2020 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © The Author(s) 2020.
- Assessment, Food insecurity, Food security, Social safety net, Women
Research areas
ID: 324272814