Prevalence and predictors of household food insecurity in Kuantan, Pahang

Mat Ya, Roselawati and Mohamed Nor, Noraishah and Sidek, Suriati and Ab Rahman, Jamalludin and Mohd Abu Bakar, Wan Azdie and Sulaiman, Norhasmah (2025) Prevalence and predictors of household food insecurity in Kuantan, Pahang. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition, 31 (3). pp. 517-526. ISSN 1394 – 035X E-ISSN 2811 - 3292

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Abstract

Introduction: Food insecurity exists whenever people are unable to access nutritionally sufficient and safe food most of the time for an active and healthy lifestyle. Households are a potentially vulnerable population that may face food insecurity. This study aimed to identify prevalence and predictors of food insecurity among households in Kuantan, Pahang. Methods: Food security status was assessed using Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). Variables assessed included socioeconomic background and demographics. Results: A total of 110 households in urban and rural areas were chosen using multistage random selection. According to the findings, 45.3% of households were facing food insecurity, with 38.0% experiencing mild food insecurity, 6.4% experiencing moderate food insecurity, and 0.9% experiencing severe food insecurity. Food insecurity in urban areas was 36.7%, while food insecurity in rural areas was 48.8%. Food insecurity was found to be related to household income [AOR: 19.33 (95% CI: 2.41, 154.95; p=0.005)], mother’s employment status [AOR: 3.92 (95% CI: 1.40, 10.97; p=0.009)], and mother’s marital status [AOR: 11.68 (95% CI: 1.17, 115.97; p=0.036)]. Conclusion: The findings indicated that food insecurity is an alarming problem for households in Kuantan, Pahang, which suggests that more research is necessary to address the multifaceted nature of the issue.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	food insecurity, food insecurity experience scale, households
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) T Technology > TX Home economics > TX341 Nutrition. Foods and food supply
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences Kulliyyah of Medicine Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Community Medicine (Effective: 1st January 2011)
Depositing User:	Dr Roselawati Mat Ya
Date Deposited:	06 Jan 2026 12:43
Last Modified:	06 Jan 2026 12:43
Queue Number:	2026-01-Q1562
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/126706

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