Abstract

Obi Ikem and Emeka Ozo

The purpose of this study was to determine the dietary patterns and prevalence of food insecurity among households in Imo State Nigeria. A total of 411 head of households were selected as a convenience sample and interviewed using a questionnaire containing the Radimer/Cornell hunger and food insecurity items, food frequency table, demographics, residence, education level, and marital status. Pearson Chi-square was used to determine the prevalence of food insecurity and the association between food insecurity and dietary habits. Descriptive statistics was used to determine the frequency of food consumption. Results show that 51.6 percent of women head of households experienced severe food insecurity and 49 % reported food insecurity with moderate hunger. Thirty three percent of two parents participants experienced severe food insecurity, 66% reported food insecurity with moderate hunger, and 1.4% were food secure. Twenty- one percent of individuals without children experienced severe food insecurity while 79.5% were food insecure with moderate hunger. The difference between groups was statistically significant at p<0.001. The prevalence of food insecurity was higher in those with less than high school education at p<0.001. The consumption of foods decreased as the presence of food insecurity increased.