THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FOOD INSECURITY AND OBESITY IN UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Authors : Simge BAL, Binnur OKAN BAKIR

Pages : 175-181

Doi:10.34108/eujhs.1142561

View : 44 | Download : 76

Publication Date : 2023-08-04

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Food insecurity is the lack of availability or access to safe and healthy food due to limited resources and is a nutritional factor associated with obesity. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between food insecurity and obesity in university employees. This study was conducted among 142 administrative employees of a private university between January 2020 and October 2020. Data was collected with Household Food Security Survey Module-Short Form insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(HFSSM-SF);, and anthropometric measurements and socio-demographic characteristics were recorded. Of the participants 39.4% were overweight, and 21.8% were obese. 64.1% of the individuals were food secure, and 35.9% were food insecure. There was no statistically significant relationship between body mass index insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(BMI); classes or waist circumference insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(WC); categories and both food accessibility levels and food security status insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p>0.05);. A weak significant positive relationship existed between the BMI insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(kg/m2); and HFFSM-SF scores insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r=0.219,p=0.009);. As the risk of inaccessibility of food increased, the BMI of the participants increased. According to the data collected with the HFSSM-SF, it has been determined approximately one-third of the employees experience food insecurity. It is crucial to develop policies that will contribute to preventing food insecurity with the necessary investigations and future studies.
Keywords : Besine erişim, besin güvencesizliği, obezite