Search results

1 – 1 of 1
Article
Publication date: 8 January 2018

Ebenezer Toyin Megbowon and Abbyssinia Mushunje

The purpose of this paper is to analyze food security status and its determinants among households in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze food security status and its determinants among households in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on the General Household Survey which was conducted in 2014 where 3,033 households were sampled from the province. Specifically, this study examines the determinants of food security proxy by dietary diversity (24-hour recall) using descriptive statistics, Poisson regression. A frequency count of food groups consumed household dietary diversity score was used as the explained variable.

Findings

The descriptive analysis shows that, although 61.7 percent of households in the study area have a high dietary diversity score, however, food group giving micronutrients are less consumed as food groups having cereals (maize), beef, sugar and oil was mostly consumed. Results on the marginal effect of Poisson regression indicate that household head characteristics (age, gender, education, marital status, and employment status), pension receiving households and geographical location significantly influence household dietary diversity.

Originality/value

This study advocates for the intensification of rural development and food security programs, formal and informal education for household heads, female empowerment and dietary enlightenment for households in order to promote the consumption of diverse diets and more healthful food groups.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 45 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

Access

Year

Content type

Article (1)
1 – 1 of 1