Analysis of the Indicators of Household Food Insecurity in Frances Baard District Municipality of South Africa

Abstract

Food insecurity is becoming a global problem. To ensure that households are food secure, numerous instruments to measure and assess food indicators should be developed using the food indicators measurement. Only a few research have investigated the evolution of household food insecurity indicators. This study aims to assess and measure food insecurity indicators in the Frances Baard District Municipality. A quantitative research design was used in this study, which includes descriptive, correlational, and explanatory research. For this study, a basic random sampling technique was used, with a sample size of 536 respondents. A total of 70.2 percent of the 536 households are large, with four or more individuals. The findings demonstrate a positive and significant relationship between not having any food [r= (534) = 0.452, p 0.001], household members eating few meals [r= (534) = 0.439, p 0.001], and a shortage of food for the households. These findings suggest that an increase in food-insecure households in this municipality might reduce food security by 11.6 percent (B = -0.499, p = 0.030). Home food security could be reduced by 11.2 percent (B = -0.547, p = 0.032) if household members go to bed hungry. Food security indicators in households should be used to assess food insecurity in the Frances Baard Municipality. Households with many dependents have a tough time getting food. To minimise food insecurity, it is suggested that domestic agriculture and food gardens be promoted and supported. The study revealed that women are mostly affected by food insecurity, government should develop measures to address food insecurity for women.