Are low-to-middle-income households experiencing food insecurity in Victoria, Australia? An examination of the Victorian Population Health Survey, 2006–2009
Sue Kleve A E , Zoe E. Davidson A , Emma Gearon B C , Sue Booth D and Claire Palermo AA Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Level 1, 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, Vic. 3168, Australia.
B Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.
C Obesity and Population Health Unit, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Faculty of Health, Locked Bag 20 000, Geelong, Vic. 3220, Australia.
D Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, PO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: suzanne.kleve@monash.edu
Australian Journal of Primary Health 23(3) 249-256 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY16082
Submitted: 4 July 2016 Accepted: 16 November 2016 Published: 12 January 2017
Abstract
Food insecurity affects health and wellbeing. Little is known about the relationship between food insecurity across income levels. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and frequency of food insecurity in low-to-middle-income Victorian households over time and identify factors associated with food insecurity in these households. Prevalence and frequency of food insecurity was analysed across household income levels using data from the cross-sectional 2006–09 Victorian Population Health Surveys (VPHS). Respondents were categorised as food insecure, if in the last 12 months they had run out of food and were unable to afford to buy more. Multivariable logistic regression was used to describe factors associated with food insecurity in low-to-middle-income households (A$40 000–$80 000 in 2008). Between 4.9 and 5.5% for total survey populations and 3.9–4.8% in low-to-middle-income respondents were food insecure. Food insecurity was associated with limited help from friends, home ownership status, inability to raise money in an emergency and cost of some foods. Food insecurity exists in households beyond those on a very low income. Understanding the extent and implications of household food insecurity across all income groups in Australia will inform effective and appropriate public health responses.
Additional keywords: determinants, methodology, monitoring, public health nutrition.
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