Food insecurity across age: Evidence from a global study

IF 9.6 1区经济学 Q1 FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Global Food Security-Agriculture Policy Economics and Environment Pub Date : 2025-12-01 Epub Date: 2025-10-07 DOI:10.1016/j.gfs.2025.100891

David Leblang , Michael D. Smith , Dennis Wesselbaum

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Abstract

Food insecurity, which affects access to safe and nutritious food, has significant implications for health and well-being. This issue has worsened in recent years, driven by factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical instability. This study examines food insecurity across three age groups – adolescents, adults, and older adults – using data from the Gallup World Poll for 132 countries, based on surveys of >390,000 individuals. The research, which uses the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), finds that food insecurity is highest among adolescents, with a notable increase in their vulnerability over recent years. Socioeconomic factors such as income, education, and health issues, along with social capital, also play a key role in influencing food insecurity. Additionally, interpersonal inequality is more pronounced among immigrants and individuals with high levels of trust but low social support. These findings underline the need for targeted policies that address the specific needs of different age groups, especially adolescents, to reduce food insecurity and its related impacts on health and development.

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跨年龄的粮食不安全：来自一项全球研究的证据

粮食不安全影响到获得安全和营养食物的机会，对健康和福祉产生重大影响。近年来，受新冠疫情和地缘政治不稳定等因素影响，这一问题进一步恶化。本研究利用盖洛普世界民意调查在132个国家对39万人进行的调查数据，考察了青少年、成年人和老年人这三个年龄组的粮食不安全状况。这项使用粮食不安全体验量表（FIES）的研究发现，青少年的粮食不安全状况最为严重，近年来他们的脆弱性显著增加。收入、教育和健康问题等社会经济因素以及社会资本在影响粮食不安全方面也发挥着关键作用。此外，人际不平等在移民和高信任但低社会支持的个人中更为明显。这些调查结果强调需要制定有针对性的政策，满足不同年龄组，特别是青少年的具体需求，以减少粮食不安全及其对健康和发展的相关影响。

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来源期刊

Global Food Security-Agriculture Policy Economics and Environment FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY-

CiteScore

20.90

自引率

3.40%

发文量

期刊介绍： Global Food Security plays a vital role in addressing food security challenges from local to global levels. To secure food systems, it emphasizes multifaceted actions considering technological, biophysical, institutional, economic, social, and political factors. The goal is to foster food systems that meet nutritional needs, preserve the environment, support livelihoods, tackle climate change, and diminish inequalities. This journal serves as a platform for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to access and engage with recent, diverse research and perspectives on achieving sustainable food security globally. It aspires to be an internationally recognized resource presenting cutting-edge insights in an accessible manner to a broad audience.