Gender differences in the prevalence of household food insecurity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThe present review aimed to identify and synthesize literature on household food insecurity with respect to whether the respondent was male or female.DesignA systematic review of prevalence studies followed by a meta-analysis was conducted between 28 August 2014 and 19 October 2014 in seven electronic databases. The search was updated in April 2016. The included studies used experience-based measures to assess household food insecurity. Dichotomous measures of food insecurity were used. Pooled odds ratios of household food insecurity prevalence in women v. men were obtained through random-effect modelling. Quality assessment, publication bias diagnostics and subgroup analysis were also performed.SettingPopulation-based studies (i.e. non-clinical populations).SubjectsParticipants aged 18 years or over.ResultsOut of the 5145 articles initially identified, forty-two studies with a total population of 233 153 were included. In general, results showed that the odds for household food insecurity was 40 % higher in studies where women were the respondent (95 % CI 1·27, 1·54; P<0·001). Besides, subgroup analysis revealed that female-headed households were 75% (95 % CI 49–96%) more likely to be food insecure than male-headed households.ConclusionsOur results confirm the existence of gender differences in reporting household food insecurity. Furthermore, they indicate that households headed by women constitute a segment of the population that is particularly vulnerable to food insecurity.