Sociodemographic Predictors of Food Insecurity Among Malay  University Students

Alia Azmi; Khairil Anuar Md Isa; Norazimah Abd Aziz; Mohd Ghazali Masuri

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Sociodemographic Predictors of Food Insecurity Among Malay University Students

Author: Alia Azmi ¹ ; Khairil Anuar Md Isa ^{2
,

3
,

4} ; Norazimah Abd Aziz ⁵ ; Mohd Ghazali Masuri ^{3
,

6}
Author Information

1. Centre of Environmental Health and Safety, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
2. Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia&
3. Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (IBDS), Universiti Teknologi Mara, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia&
4. Insitute of Big Data Analytic and Artificial Intelligence (IBDAA), Universiti Teknologi Mara, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
5. Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sungai Buloh Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
6. Centre of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia&
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Food insecurity, Sociodemographic, University students
From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2022;18(No.2):42-49
CountryMalaysia
Language:English
Abstract: Introduction: Food insecurity is currently a problem faced by both developing and developed nations. Issues of food insecurity reflect both social and economic challenges, posing a significant policy dilemma. Although there has been various research on food insecurity, very little has been done to better understand what are the sociodemographic factors that can predict food insecurity within a Malaysian context, especially amongst the unique community of Malay university students, which makes up the largest group of students in tertiary education. Therefore, this study examined the prevalence of food insecurity and its associated factors among Malay university students. Methods: Conducted in Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor Campus, conveniently sampled participants (n = 181) completed a pre-tested English version of the US Adult Food Security Survey Module (AFSSM) questions in 2015, which measures their level of food security status. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine the sociodemographic predictors of food insecurity among the sampled population. Results: More than one-third of participants (42.5%) reported food insecurity within the past year with 22.1% experiencing very low food insecurity. Additionally, of those who experienced food security, 5.4% reported a low food security status. However, no significant predictors were observed positively related to food insecurity. Conclusion: Data indicates that food insecurity is a significant problem among university students and additional research is needed to better understand and address food insecurity in higher education.
Full text:11.2022my1236.pdf