Gender differences in the prevalence of household food insecurity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The present review aimed to identify and synthesize literature on household food insecurity with respect to whether the respondent was male or female.



A systematic review of prevalence studies followed by a meta-analysis was conducted between 28 August 2014 and 19 October 2014 in seven electronic databases. The search was updated in April 2016. The included studies used experience-based measures to assess household food insecurity. Dichotomous measures of food insecurity were used. Pooled odds ratios of household food insecurity prevalence in women v. men were obtained through random-effect modelling. Quality assessment, publication bias diagnostics and subgroup analysis were also performed.



Population-based studies (i.e. non-clinical populations).



Participants aged 18 years or over.



Out of the 5145 articles initially identified, forty-two studies with a total population of 233 153 were included. In general, results showed that the odds for household food insecurity was 40 % higher in studies where women were the respondent (95 % CI 1·27, 1·54; P<0·001). Besides, subgroup analysis revealed that female-headed households were 75% (95 % CI 49-96%) more likely to be food insecure than male-headed households.



Our results confirm the existence of gender differences in reporting household food insecurity. Furthermore, they indicate that households headed by women constitute a segment of the population that is particularly vulnerable to food insecurity.
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia,Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul,Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2400,2º andar,CEP 90035-003,Santana/Porto Alegre,RS,Brasil.
Natália Miranda
NM
Jung
2Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva,Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul,Porto Alegre,RS,Brasil.
Fernanda Souza
FS
de Bairros
3Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva,Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos,Cristo Rei/São Leopoldo,RS,Brasil.
Marcos Pascoal
MP
Pattussi
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia,Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul,Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2400,2º andar,CEP 90035-003,Santana/Porto Alegre,RS,Brasil.
Sílvia
S
Pauli
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia,Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul,Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2400,2º andar,CEP 90035-003,Santana/Porto Alegre,RS,Brasil.
Marilda Borges
MB
Neutzling
D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D017594:Publication Bias; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
Female; Food insecurity; Gender; Prevalence