Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Household food insecurity, nutritional outcome and coping strategies: Evidence from Malaysia

Author(s):

Chamhuri Siwar ¹, Ferdoushi Ahmed ^{2 *}, Rawshan Ara Begum ³

Recieved Date: 2013-11-03, Accepted Date: 2014-01-10

Abstract:

Food insecurity is a common problem among the low-income households in the developing countries including Malaysia. Household food insecurity can contribute to nutritional deficiencies and consequently affect physical well-being of the family members. This paper aims to review studies that have given effort to measure food insecurity and nutritional status at household level in Malaysia. The paper also focuses on the coping strategies that households frequently adopt to minimize food insecurity. Literatures were identified from various sources such as journals, reports, proceedings and related documents by searching comprehensively both electronic and non-electronic databases. Based on the review of literatures, it was found that majority of the low-income households in rural communities of Malaysia suffer from some kind of food insecurity-household food insecurity, individual food insecurity or child hunger. Food insecure households usually live below the poverty line and a portion of them is categorized as hardcore poor. It was also reported that relatively higher proportion of children from food insecure households are stunting, underweight and wasting as well as women are overweight, obese and at risk waist circumference. Households suffering from food insufficiency frequently apply a variety of food and non-food related coping strategies to minimize the risk of food insecurity. Therefore, integrated efforts between agencies, communities and families are very much necessary to prevent food insecurity as well as improve nutritional status of the poor households of the country.

Keywords:

Food insecurity, nutritional outcome, coping strategies, household, Malaysia

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2014
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Category: Food and Health
Pages: 19-23

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