Discuss how the prevalence of food insecurity is assessed in prosperous countries

Answer 1

Assessing the prevalence of food insecurity in prosperous countries can be particularly challenging because it is not usually associated with detectable signs of malnutrition. For this reason, clinical measurements of nutritional status (such as weight and height) are not always useful indicators of food insecurity. Instead, the prevalence of food insecurity in U.S. households is typically assessed using data regarding food availability and access. For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issues a yearly survey that asks individuals questions about their behaviors related to food access and availability. Depending on the responses to this survey, a person or household is classified as having either low food security or very low food security. Households classified as having low food security experience reduced food quality, variety, and/or desirability, although there is little indication of reduced food intake. This is not the case with households classified as having very low food security. These households are more likely to report disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake.