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Household Food Insecurity and Perceived Nutritional Outcomes of Children Aged 4–8 Years in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study examined household food insecurity and its association with nutritional outcomes among children aged 4–8 years in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods cross-sectional design was employed with a sample of 200 parents (using stratified random sampling) and 20 children (using purposive sampling). Data were collected via structured questionnaires, 24-hour dietary recall, and anthropometric measurements. Food security was assessed through perceived access and dietary sufficiency, while nutritional status was evaluated using height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ), and dietary diversity scores (DDS). Results revealed a critical threshold effect: all children in severely food-insecure households were stunted (HAZ ≤ –2) and underweight (WAZ ≤ –2), with low dietary diversity (DDS 1–2), while no stunting occurred in food-secure households, which consistently reported high dietary diversity (DDS 6–7). Household food security showed strong positive correlations with maternal education, monthly income, improved water and sanitation, and urban residence, and a negative correlation with household size. Community-endorsed interventions included establishing community gardens, implementing nutrition education programs, and providing healthy food subsidies. The study concludes that child stunting and undernutrition are concentrated in food-insecure households, which are characterized by intersecting socio-economic disadvantages. A multisectoral approach targeting economic, educational, and environmental factors is recommended to break the cycle of food insecurity and malnutrition in this vulnerable population.

Source: International Journal of Home Economics Hospitality and Allied Research

DOI: 10.57012/ijhhr.v4n2.015

Authors: Diepiriye Fred Horsfall, Joy Uchenna Kingsley, Emmanuel Temple Azumedike

Institutions: Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, University of Nigeria

Language: English

Topic: Child Nutrition and Water Access

Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: No poverty, Zero hunger, Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7125705283

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