Food Insecurity and some Associated Socioeconomic Factors Among Women with Metabolic Syndrome Referred to Clinics of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Food insecurity is defined as limited availability at all times to sufficient food of an active life. The aim of this study was assessing the food insecurity status and some associated socioeconomic factors in women with metabolic syndrome. The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 130 women between 30-60 years of age with metabolic syndrome referred to health centers of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2011. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and food insecurity status were assessed using demographic and the 18-item Agriculture Organization of the United States of America household food security questionnaires، respectively. Data were analyzed by Chi-square، t-tests and Logistic Regression statistical tests. Prevalence of food insecurity in the population was 69. 2%. Logistic regression showed the independent variables affecting food insecurity in women with metabolic syndrome were household economic status، family size، and income respectively (P<0. 05). Due to high rate of food insecurity in women with metabolic syndrome، perhaps reducing food insecurity is associated with reduced metabolic syndrome. Therefore، it is necessary to reduce food insecurity in the society، especially among women.