Household Dietary Patterns and Food Security Challenges in Peri-Urban South Africa: A Reflection of High Unemployment in the Wake of Rising Food Prices

Abstract

AbstractUrbanization is one of the major social changes in developing regions. This has influenced urban food insecurity and malnutrition in South Africa where poverty, unemployment and high food prices are dominant and influencing dietary change. The study considered dietary diversities and food security of households in four peri-urban settlements in South Africa through household surveys with 314 randomly selected households. Dietary diversity was generally low with high levels of food insecurity across the peri-urban sites, with male-headed households generally worse off than female-headed households. There was high dependence on food purchasing in all sites, although female-headed households were more likely than male-headed households to supplement food purchases with other food strategies such as urban agriculture, collection from open spaces and receiving donations. Food insecurity was associated with high poverty levels, unemployment and low education levels. A coherent response that effectively addresses food and nutrition insecurity challenges in peri-urban areas is an important component in addressing food insecurity in peri-urban settings of South Africa. Such a response should support localized and diverse “context specific” food systems which are sustainable and healthier and make food more affordable.