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<p>Food is a basic human need, yet achieving food security remains a major challenge at both global and local levels. This study examined household food security status, dietary diversity, and coping strategies employed during food shortages in a rural farming community. Data were collected from 344 households using a structured questionnaire. Household food insecurity was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), dietary diversity was measured with the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), and coping strategies were evaluated using the Coping Strategies Index (CSI). Descriptive statistics were generated using SPSS version 27, while ordinal logistic regression was employed to examine the relationships between food insecurity, dietary diversity, and coping strategies. The findings revealed that the majority of households (93.9%) were food insecure, with 83.1% experiencing moderate food insecurity. Regarding dietary diversity, 53.7% of households had moderate dietary diversity and 47.3% had high dietary diversity, with a mean HDDS of 6.4, indicating consumption of approximately six to seven food groups. Despite this relatively varied diet, coping strategy analysis showed widespread reliance on food-based coping mechanisms: 59.2% of households reduced adult meal quantities in favor of children, 56.8% limited meal portions for all members, and 48.7% reduced meal frequency at least three times per week. Regression results indicated that HDDS had a negative but non-significant association with food insecurity severity (β = −0.165, <i>p</i> = 0.287), whereas CSI was a strong and statistically significant predictor (β = 0.351, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). These findings suggest that while dietary diversity may be maintained temporarily, heavy reliance on coping strategies compromises diet quality, meal adequacy, and nutrient intake stability, increasing the risk of undernutrition, particularly among women and children. Strengthening agricultural support, improving access to affordable credit, and addressing conflict in farming areas are essential policy measures to reduce rural household food insecurity.</p>

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Food security status, dietary diversity level, and coping strategies of rural farming community in Nigeria

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月11日

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  • Jane Onyinyechi Ezeh,
  • Edith Uzoma Madukwe,
  • Eugene Chijindu Ukaegbu

摘要

Food is a basic human need, yet achieving food security remains a major challenge at both global and local levels. This study examined household food security status, dietary diversity, and coping strategies employed during food shortages in a rural farming community. Data were collected from 344 households using a structured questionnaire. Household food insecurity was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), dietary diversity was measured with the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), and coping strategies were evaluated using the Coping Strategies Index (CSI). Descriptive statistics were generated using SPSS version 27, while ordinal logistic regression was employed to examine the relationships between food insecurity, dietary diversity, and coping strategies. The findings revealed that the majority of households (93.9%) were food insecure, with 83.1% experiencing moderate food insecurity. Regarding dietary diversity, 53.7% of households had moderate dietary diversity and 47.3% had high dietary diversity, with a mean HDDS of 6.4, indicating consumption of approximately six to seven food groups. Despite this relatively varied diet, coping strategy analysis showed widespread reliance on food-based coping mechanisms: 59.2% of households reduced adult meal quantities in favor of children, 56.8% limited meal portions for all members, and 48.7% reduced meal frequency at least three times per week. Regression results indicated that HDDS had a negative but non-significant association with food insecurity severity (β = −0.165, p = 0.287), whereas CSI was a strong and statistically significant predictor (β = 0.351, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that while dietary diversity may be maintained temporarily, heavy reliance on coping strategies compromises diet quality, meal adequacy, and nutrient intake stability, increasing the risk of undernutrition, particularly among women and children. Strengthening agricultural support, improving access to affordable credit, and addressing conflict in farming areas are essential policy measures to reduce rural household food insecurity.