Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition
Volume 10, Issue 3, 2015, Pages 379-389

Relationship Between Food Insecurity, Social Support, and Vegetable Intake Among Resettled African Refugees in Queensland, Australia (Article)

Gichunge C.* , Harris N. , Tubei S. , Somerset S. , Lee P.
  • a School of Business, Karatina University, Karatina, Kenya
  • b School of Public Health, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, QLD, Australia
  • c School of Public Health, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, QLD, Australia
  • d School of Allied and Public Health, Australian Catholic University, Public Health, Banyo, QLD, Australia
  • e School of Public Health, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, QLD, Australia

Abstract

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the interaction of food insecurity, social support, and vegetable intake among resettled Burundian, Congolese, and Rwandan African refugees in Australia. A total of 71 household food preparers were recruited through purposive sampling. Eighteen percent of the participants experienced food insecurity. Participants with low education and no social support were 5 and 4 times more likely to be food insecure, respectively. There were no significant differences in vegetable intake. Results indicate that food insecurity is more prevalent among postresettlement African refugees compared to the general Australian population and is associated with social support and education. Strategies to enhance education and social support networks for resettled African refugees may work toward alleviating food insecurity among this group. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Author Keywords

Food insecurity vegetable intake Social support African refugees

Index Keywords

educational status household food processing refugee Australia sampling vegetable human priority journal social support African income cross-sectional study Adolescent male female Article employment status adult food security food insecurity food intake Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84940791712&doi=10.1080%2f19320248.2014.929544&partnerID=40&md5=26efa2b40e6d626e1b3e9f55c681ba01
DOI: 10.1080/19320248.2014.929544
ISSN: 19320248
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English