Prevalence and factors affecting food insecurity among university students in Pahang, Malaysia

Mohd Abu Bakar, Wan Azdie and Ismail, Shahidah and Sidek, Suriati and Abdul Rahman, Rozlin (2019) Prevalence and factors affecting food insecurity among university students in Pahang, Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition, 25 (1). pp. 59-67. ISSN 1394-035X

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Abstract

Introduction: Food insecurity exists whenever people are unable to access sufficient food at all times for an active and healthy life. University students are a potentially vulnerable group of people to face food insecurity. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and determinants of food insecurity among a population of university students in Kuantan, in the state of Pahang. Methods: Food security status was identified using the United States Adult Food Security Survey Module (USAFSSM). Factors, which include demographic background, spending expenditure pattern and time constraints, were assessed. A total of 316 students were selected through stratified random sampling throughout six faculties of the International Islamic University Malaysia, of whom 307 successfully completed the survey. Results: The result shows that 54.4% of the students were experiencing food insecurity, from which 32.9% were sub-categorised as low food security and 21.5% as very low food security. Food insecurity was found to be significantly associated with time constraints (p<0.05), spending on books (p<0.05), miscellaneous items (p<0.05), parents’ income (p<0.001) and scholarship type (p<0.001). Conclusion: Apart from the high incidence of food insecurity among the students, time and financial affordability appeared to be critical concerns in this study. Since food insecurity has become a significant issue with university students, it should be addressed and prioritised by the relevant authorities.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	4609/73741
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Food insecurity, students, food security status
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine 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 Allied Health Sciences > Department of Nutrition Sciences Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences > Department of Physical Rehabilitation Sciences Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Psychology
Depositing User:	Dr. Wan Azdie Mohd Abu Bakar
Date Deposited:	20 Aug 2019 09:59
Last Modified:	25 Nov 2019 23:52
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/73741

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