Ecology of Household Food Insecurity and its Association with Obesity among Aborigines in Perak Region of Peninsular Malaysia
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Date
2014
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Abstract
Background: Food insecurity rates and its associated burden of obesit)' have increased over
the past two decades in Malaysia. 'Ibis study examines the household food insecurity and its
related nutritional outcomes among the aboriginal mothers of Peninsular Malaysia.
Study Settings: Tribal villages in Perak region of Peninsular Malaysia.
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey in the households of indigenous
population was conducted from mothers of 218 households aged between 18 to 65 years who
were non- lactating, non-pregnant and had at least one child aged between 2 to 12 years. A
pre-tested and validated questionnaire which included socio-demographic characteristics,
Radimer /Cornell food insecurity scale and anthropometric measurements were used to collect
baseline information. Descriptive analysis was done to assess prevalence of food insecurity and
correlation was established between food insecurity and associated ecological factors.
Results: Around 90% of the study population faces a kind of food insecurity with 69.72%
facing child hunger. BMl corresponds to 22.94% and 56.42% of the maternal households to
be overweight and obese. Abdominal obesity as measured by waist circumference showed a
prevalence rate of 59.63%. Overweight and obesity ratios were higher among women of food
insecure households which exhibited a positive association.
Conclusion: Adopting ecological approaches can help build resilient food systems in
achieving food security among the indigenous community.