Arzhang P, Abbasi SH, Sarsangi P, Malekahmadi M, Nikbaf-Shandiz M, Bellissimo N, Azadbakht L. Prevalence of household food insecurity among a healthy Iranian population: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Front Nutr 2022;
9:1006543. [PMID:
36458165 PMCID:
PMC9707736 DOI:
10.3389/fnut.2022.1006543]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Food security is a fundamental human right that must be upheld to preserve excellent general welfare, and mental, physical, and social health. However, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report in 2020, the level of food insecurity in the world is increasing.
OBJECTIVE
Determining the prevalence of food insecurity in Iran will be beneficial for Iran and other low-middle-income countries.
METHODS
We searched both English and Persian (Iranian) databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, SID, Irandoc, Magiran, Civilica, and Iranian Medical Sciences Theses System from 01 January 1990 to 01 February 2022. Observational studies that reported the prevalence of household food insecurity among a healthy Iranian population and assessed food insecurity at the individual or household level using validated questionnaires were included.
RESULTS
One hundred six studies and/or theses with a total of 152, 300 participants met the review criteria. Our analyses demonstrated that the prevalence of food insecurity among the healthy Iranian population was 55.9% (95% CI: 52.6-59.2%) and the highest prevalence of food insecurity was in the western regions with 64.8% (95% CI: 57.7-72.0%). Subgroup analyses showed that food insecurity among women at 51.3% (95% CI: 45.1-57.6%) and rural inhabitants at 66.1% (95% CI: 58.8-73.4%) was significantly higher than men at 47.8% (95% CI: 41.8-53.8%) and urban residents at 47.1% (95% CI: 44.1-50.0%), respectively. Among the age groups, the highest prevalence of food insecurity was in adults at 56.5% (95% CI: 51.7-61.2%).
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of food insecurity in a healthy Iranian population was higher than the global average. Women, rural residents, and residents of the western regions of Iran had a higher prevalence of food insecurity. These groups should be prioritized in programs to reduce the prevalence of food insecurity in Iran.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42022328473.
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