Rapid Fire Oral Presentation 49th Nutrition Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2025

Gender differences in the prevalence of food insecurity among men and women in Nigeria.   (129941)

Chioma Anidi 1 , Kathryn Backholer 1 , Tanita Botha 2 , Christina Zorbas 1
  1. Institute for Health Transformation, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health. , Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia
  2. Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Health., Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia

Food insecurity remains a critical challenge in Nigeria, contributing to poor health, malnutrition, and reduced productivity, while disproportionately affecting key populations. This study examined the prevalence of food insecurity among women compared to men in Nigeria, including how this differs by age and geographic location.

Data for this study were from the 2021 UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 6), using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) to measure household food insecurity for female and male-headed households (FHHs and MHHs). Rasch modelling was used to assess the validity of the scale in Nigeria, and results were calibrated to the global FIES reference scale1. Logistic regression models were used to explore how food insecurity levels varied by gender of household head, with interaction terms included for age, region, and geopolitical zone.

Overall, food insecurity was widespread, with 71.8% of households experiencing moderate and 27.6% experiencing severe food insecurity. The prevalence of severe food insecurity was significantly greater for FHHs (45.9%) compared to MHH (42.3%). Conversely, the prevalence of moderate food insecurity was significantly greater for MHHs (34.9%) compared to FHHs (33.0%). Age-specific analysis revealed that younger FHHs (15–49 years) had 1.4 times the odds of food insecurity (moderate and severe combined) compared to older FHHs (50+) (95% CIs 80.3, 84.9; p =< 0.001).

Interaction terms were not significant for region and geopolitical zone when food insecurity was analysed as a binary variable (food secure vs food insecure). However, significant interaction terms for geopolitical zone were observed when food insecurity was analysed as moderate and severe separately. That is, only severe food insecurity was more prevalent among FHHs compared to MHHs in several geopolitical zones, notably North East, North West, South East, and South South zones (all p < 0.010).
This study highlights the unequal burden of food insecurity among FHHs in Nigeria, especially among younger FHHs of reproductive age. These findings underscore the need for targeted, gender transformative, and region-specific policies to effectively address food insecurity and its structural determinants.