ASSOCIATION BETWEEN FOOD INSECURITY AND OBESITY IN MIDDLE AND LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN CASABLANCA, MOROCCO

• Published in: Annals of nutrition and metabolism 2017-10, Vol.71 (Suppl. 2), p.640
• Main Authors: Jafri, Ali, Derouiche, Abdelfettah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adults; Anthropometry; Body mass index; Body size; Body weight; Food; Food security; Food supply; Households; Income; Low income groups; Men; Middle income; Nutrition; Nutritional status; Obesity; Overweight; Risk
• ISSN: 0250-6807; 1421-9697
• DOI: 10.1159/000480486

Background and objectives: Food insecurity is usually associated with poor nutritional status. Still, reports revealed that food insecure populations are at increased risk of obesity. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of food insecurity in middle and low income households in Casablanca and examine the relationship between food insecurity and overweight. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 2011 and 2013 among low and middle income households from the South-East communities of Casablanca, Morocco. Data were collected for 607 households using a standardized and validated questionnaire. A total of 424 adult women and 183 adult men participated to the survey. Food insecurity was evaluated using a set of nine questions adapted from the the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) developed by the Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance project (FANTA). Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist circumference) were taken according to the World Health Organization's guidelines and obesity was identified as a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2. Results: Food insecurity affected 63.2% of the households at different levels; data revealed that food insecurity was light in 12.6%, mild in 20.2% and severe in 30.4% households. Obesity was found in 40.8% of the population; 24.6% in men and 47.9% in women (p