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The Social Environmental Impact on Food Insecurity

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Food".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (26 March 2023) | Viewed by 7932

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada
Interests: social and health inequalities; food insecurity; community approaches

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 syndemic is exacerbating existing social and health inequalities around the world. Food insecurity rates are increasing and, once again, the most vulnerable part of the population is paying the highest price. The association between food insecurity status and social environment is becoming more and more evident in this time of crisis. While food insecurity is clearly rooted in a lack of affordable housing, child care, health care, and social welfare policies, the relationship between social capital (social connections and networks) and food insecurity has not been investigated thoroughly. COVID-related lockdowns are challenging and reshaping the food access strategies of people, especially those who are food insecure. In spring 2020, empty supermarket shelves and the rationing of basic commodities as well as the closure or shifting strategies of food pantries affected people’s food access in a situation of food insecurity. In order to access food, people with food insecurity have likely increased their exposure to COVID-19. COVID-19-positive subjects may be unable to work, generate income, and procure food while quarantined, which exacerbates food insecurity.

This Special Issue focuses on the impact of social environment factors on food insecurity. Given the timely moment, this Special Issue offers the opportunity to integrate or analyze, from a different angle, some associations that are becoming crucial in understanding and facing food insecurity. 

Dr. Federico Roncarolo

Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • food security
  • food insecurity
  • food access
  • food supply
  • social environment
  • social capital
  • social determinants of health
  • social cohesion
  • food pantries
  • food systems

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 484 KiB  
Article
Coping Strategies for Household Food Insecurity, and Perceived Health in an Urban Community in Southern Mozambique: A Qualitative Study
by Elias M. A. Militao, Elsa M. Salvador, José P. Silva, Olalekan A. Uthman, Stig Vinberg and Gloria Macassa
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8710; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148710 - 16 Jul 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3323
Abstract
In low- and middle-income countries, food insecurity (FI) is a living reality for many households, particularly among the most vulnerable groups. The burden of household FI in Mozambique and how FI and coping strategies relate to perceived health are unknown. This study investigated [...] Read more.
In low- and middle-income countries, food insecurity (FI) is a living reality for many households, particularly among the most vulnerable groups. The burden of household FI in Mozambique and how FI and coping strategies relate to perceived health are unknown. This study investigated the lived experiences and coping strategies of food-insecure households, along with their perceived health. Altogether, 16 in-depth interviews were performed, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. A qualitative content analysis was carried out and five themes emerged: lived experiences of FI, coping strategies used in situations of FI, food choices, climate change and food security, and FI and perceived health. A wide range of lived experiences and coping strategies were reported, including cooking whatever is available, skipping meals, receiving money or food from friends and relatives, eating unsafe and low-quality foods, taking on additional work, cooking least-preferred foods, and having a monotonous and less-nutritious diet. Furthermore, the participants reported emotional distress, anxiety and depression, substance use, and other negative health outcomes. Some had diagnoses of hypertension, diabetes or HIV/AIDS. The findings suggest the need for employment creation and women’s empowerment, as well as the implementation of appropriate policies and programmes to alleviate household FI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Social Environmental Impact on Food Insecurity)
20 pages, 599 KiB  
Article
Food Security among Libyan Migrants Living in Australia: A Qualitative Study
by Reima Mansour, Pranee Liamputtong and Amit Arora
Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13853; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413853 - 15 Dec 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3570
Abstract
Food security among migrants and refugees is a concern across the globe, with the dearth of evidence on food labels and their influence on food security affecting disadvantaged communities especially. This paper discusses the experiences of food security among Libyan migrant families in [...] Read more.
Food security among migrants and refugees is a concern across the globe, with the dearth of evidence on food labels and their influence on food security affecting disadvantaged communities especially. This paper discusses the experiences of food security among Libyan migrant families in Australia. The study is situated within the food and nutrition security framework. A qualitative approach was adopted with in-depth interviews conducted with 27 Libyan migrants. Thematic analysis identified three themes: food security, food label comprehension, and strategies for dealing with food insecurity and food labelling difficulties. Food security had different meanings to different individuals. Access to culturally appropriate (halal) foods was problematic for families in regional and rural areas due to a lack of availability outside the main cities. In terms of food labelling, the language and terms used were a common issue for most families in both rural and city environments. Many families attempted to find ways to counteract food insecurity; however, lower-income families found this more burdensome. It is crucial that health and social welfare providers consider means to reduce food insecurity among Libyan migrants to allow them to live a healthier life in Australia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Social Environmental Impact on Food Insecurity)
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