Household food security status and associated factors among high-school students in Esfahan, Iran.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was designed to determine household food security status and factors associated with food insecurity among high-school students in Esfahan, Iran.


METHODS
Cross-sectional surveys.


METHODS
The present study was conducted in autumn 2008 in Esfahan, Iran. The samples were selected using systematic cluster sampling. Socio-economic questionnaires, food security questionnaires and FFQ were filled out during face-to-face interviews. In addition, data on participants' weights and heights were collected.


METHODS
A total of 580 students (261 boys and 319 girls) aged 14-17 years from forty high schools in Esfahan, Iran, were selected.


RESULTS
The prevalence of household food insecurity according to the US Department of Agriculture food security questionnaire was 36.6 % (95 % CI 0.33, 0.40). Food insecurity was positively associated with number of members in the household (P < 0.05) and negatively associated with parental education level and job status and household economic status (P < 0.05). Moreover, students living in food-insecure households more frequently consumed bread, macaroni, potato and egg (P < 0.05), while they less frequently consumed rice, red meat, sausage and hamburger, poultry, fish, green vegetables, root and bulb (coloured) vegetables, melons, apples and oranges, milk and yoghurt (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Food insecurity was prevalent among households in Esfahan, Iran, and food security status was associated with socio-economic factors. Students who belonged to food-secure households more frequently consumed healthy foods (except sausage and hamburger), whereas those living in food-insecure households more frequently consumed cheap foods containing high energy per kilogram. The present study suggests that intervention programmes be designed and carried out.
Mohammadzadeh
Assieh
A
International Branch, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Dorosty
Ahmadreza
A
Eshraghian
Mohammadreza
M
D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D012923:Social Class; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D016885:United States Department of Agriculture