What can Secondary Data Tell Us about Household Food Insecurity in a High-Income Country Context?

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 16; no. 1; p. 82
• Main Authors: Ejebu, Ourega-Zoé, Whybrow, Stephen, Mckenzie, Lynda, Dowler, Elizabeth, Garcia, Ada L, Ludbrook, Anne, Barton, Karen Louise, Wrieden, Wendy Louise, Douglas, Flora
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 29.12.2018; MDPI
• Subjects: Alcoholic beverages; Cardiovascular diseases; Consultation; Consumer Price Index; Datasets; Decision making; Diabetes mellitus; Diet - economics; Diet - statistics & numerical data; Diet - trends; Expenditures; Family Characteristics; Family income; Food; Food security; Food sources; Food supply; Food Supply - economics; Food Supply - statistics & numerical data; Health Surveys; High income; Households; Humans; Income; Population; Poverty; Prevalence; Quality; Recessions; Scotland - epidemiology; Scotland; United Kingdom > UK; United States > US; prevalence; secondary data; Scotland; household; food poverty; food insecurity; food surveys
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16010082

In the absence of routinely collected household food insecurity data, this study investigated what could be determined about the nature and prevalence of household food insecurity in Scotland from secondary data. Secondary analysis of the Living Costs and Food Survey (2007⁻2012) was conducted to calculate weekly food expenditure and its ratio to equivalised income for households below average income (HBAI) and above average income (non-HBAI). Diet Quality Index (DQI) scores were calculated for this survey and the Scottish Health Survey (SHeS, 2008 and 2012). Secondary data provided a partial picture of food insecurity prevalence in Scotland, and a limited picture of differences in diet quality. In 2012, HBAI spent significantly less in absolute terms per week on food and non-alcoholic drinks (£53.85) compared to non-HBAI (£86.73), but proportionately more of their income (29% and 15% respectively). Poorer households were less likely to achieve recommended fruit and vegetable intakes than were more affluent households. The mean DQI score (SHeS data) of HBAI fell between 2008 and 2012, and was significantly lower than the mean score for non-HBAI in 2012. Secondary data are insufficient to generate the robust and comprehensive picture needed to monitor the incidence and prevalence of food insecurity in Scotland.