Prevalence and socio‐demographic predictors of food insecurity among regional and remote Western Australian children

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

Amanda Devine¹  Jill Darby¹  Stephanie Godrich¹  Christina Davies²  Johnny Lo³ 

[1] School of Medical and Health Sciences Edith Cowan University Western Australia;School of Population Health The University of Western Australia;School of Science Edith Cowan University Western Australia;

关键词: food security;    regional;    remote;    children;   

DOI  :  10.1111/1753-6405.12716

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Objective: Inequities can negatively impact the health outcomes of children. The aims of this study were to: i) ascertain the prevalence of food insecurity (FI) among regional and remote Western Australian (WA) children; and ii) determine which socio‐demographic factors predicted child FI. Methods: Caregiver‐child dyads (n=219) completed cross‐sectional surveys. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS version 23. Results: Overall, 20.1% of children were classified as FI. Children whose family received government financial assistance were more likely to be FI (OR 2.60; CI 1.15, 5.91; p=0.022), as were children living in a Medium disadvantage area (OR 2.60; CI 1.18, 5.72; p=0.017), compared to High or Low SEIFA ratings. Conclusions: Study findings are suggestive of the impact low income has on capacity to be food secure. The higher FI prevalence among children from families receiving financial assistance and living in medium disadvantage areas indicates more support for these families is required. Recommendations include: ensuring government plans and policies adequately support disadvantaged families; increasing employment opportunities; establishing evidence on the causes and the potential impact of FI on children's health. Implications for public health: One in five children were FI, demonstrating that FI is an issue in Western Australia.

【 授权许可】

Unknown