Prevalence and factors affecting food insecurity among university students in Pahang, Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition, 25 (1). pp. 56-67. ISSN 1394-035X (2019)
Abstract
Food insecurity exists whenever people are unable to access sufficient food at all times for an active and healthy life. University students are a potentially
vulnerable group of people to face food insecurity. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and determinants of food insecurity among a population of university
students in Kuantan, in the state of Pahang. Methods: Food security status was identified using the United States Adult Food Security Survey Module (USAFSSM).
Factors, which include demographic background, spending expenditure pattern and time constraints, were assessed. A total of 316 students were selected through stratified random sampling throughout six faculties of the International Islamic University Malaysia, of whom 307 successfully completed the survey. Results: The result shows that 54.4% of the students were experiencing food insecurity, from which 32.9% were sub-categorised as low food security and 21.5% as very low food security. Food insecurity was found to be significantly associated with time constraints (p<0.05), spending on books (p<0.05), miscellaneous items (p<0.05), parents’ income (p<0.001) and scholarship type (p<0.001). Conclusion: Apart
from the high incidence of food insecurity among the students, time and financial affordability appeared to be critical concerns in this study. Since food insecurity
has become a significant issue with university students, it should be addressed and prioritized by the relevant authorities.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Food insecurity, Food security status, Food supply |
| Taxonomy: | By Subject > Applied Sciences > Food Technology |
| Local Content Hub: | Subjects > Applied Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Farleen Azrina Zamberi |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Apr 2021 07:38 |
| Last Modified: | 13 Apr 2021 07:38 |
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