Evaluation of Food Security, Eating Behavior and Awareness of Low Socio-Economic Lebanese Women Living in Akkar

Abstract

Background: Poverty in developing and low socioeconomic areas has an important consequence on women’s food supply. Therefore, food security and eating behavior among individuals living in these conditions could be altered due to social and economic status. Consequently, it is crucial to evaluate the “Food security, eating behavior and awareness of Lebanese women living in low socio-economic areas-Akkar”. Objective: The purpose of this analysis is to evaluate these factors in women living in low socioeconomic areas in order to assess and compare their food intake to the food pyramid recommendations and to determine their awareness level regarding the healthy eating habits and how it is affecting their food choices. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on randomly selected 340 women living in Akkar-North Lebanon, aging between 20 and 60 years old and showing a crowding index above 1. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS, version 16) with p<0.05. Several bivariate and multivariate models were used to evaluate the association between some independent variables and the food security, eating behavior and awareness of the study population. Results: Among the participants whose average of body mass index is 25.76 ± 5.241 kg/m2, 99.1% are food insecure and are unable to access food. Factors such as age, women’s type of work, husband’s salary, crowding index and others affect food security and eating behavior. In addition, 96.2% of the study sample is adopting unhealthy eating behavior which could potentially lead to chronic health problems. Moreover, 71.5% are showing a low awareness level concerning the health importance of good eating habits; thus, this poor awareness level is significantly affecting the population food choices. Conclusion: Future national studies and programs could be settled to increase the awareness about food security and good eating practices among this specific category of the Lebanese population and reduce food insecurity risk in this specific population.