Food insecurity in vulnerable areas of Cauca, Colombia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Although enough food is produced worldwide, more than two billion people are food insecure. Persistent conflicts in Colombia make the population vulnerable to food insecurity, and the Cauca region is suitable for examining the complex factors that affect food insecurity in vulnerable populations.

Objectives: The aim of the thesis was to investigate food insecurity and access to food in vulnerable groups of the population in the Cauca region of Colombia. In addition, the intake of ultra-processed foods and the distribution of support from utilities are examined.

Method: A survey was conducted among 803 households in rural and urban areas. Diet was mapped at the household level using a 24-hour diet interview. The Food Insecurity Experience Scale was used to examine self-perceived food insecurity and logistic regression was used to examine food insecurity determinants. The Household Dietary Diversity Score was used to estimate dietary diversity. Ultra-processed foods were categorized using NOVA. The chi-square test was used to examine significant differences between different groups.

Results and conclusion: The median score for the Food Insecurity Experience Scale was 4 (moderate). Female-headed households and households where the respondent identified as Indigenous were considered vulnerable to food insecurity based on logistic regression. Households with livestock were less likely to be food insecure. Half of the sample experienced food insecurity. The median Household Dietary Diversity Score was 5 (scale of 0-11). Thirty-seven percent of the sample stated that they had eaten ultra-processed foods. Six out of ten households had received support from one or more aid programs. Overall, there was little variation between different subgroups of the sample for all objectives. This is attributed to the fact that there was a strategic selection in vulnerable areas.