Food insecure adults report similar food preparation skills, and better food budgeting skills than food secure adults: implications for personalised nutrition programs

Abstract

Food insecurity has been associated with poorer dietary quality in Australian adults⁽¹⁾. Understanding the relationship between food insecurity and healthy lifestyle behaviours is crucial for developing effective personalised nutrition interventions. This study aimed to investigate differences in healthy lifestyle and food choice behaviours like food shopping, food preparation skills, and nutrition knowledge between food-secure and insecure adults. An online, cross-sectional survey using a convenience sample of Australian adults measured food insecurity using a single-item food insecurity screening tool⁽²⁾. Healthy lifestyle and food choice behaviours were measured through the validated psycho-behavioural living and eating for health segments (LEHS) survey⁽³⁾. Differences in survey responses between food-secure and food-insecure respondents were explored using Chi-square tests and t-tests. Among respondents (n = 148; 68% female; 92% tertiary educated; mean age 34.4 ± 10.9 years), 22% were classified as food insecure. According to the LEHS, food-secure participants are predominantly ‘Balanced All Rounders’ (n = 39; 33.6%) who try to live a balanced lifestyle and ‘Health Conscious’ (n = 36; 31.0%), who prioritise healthy eating. Food-insecure participants had a higher percentage identifying as ‘Lifestyle Mavens’ (n = 6; 18.8%) compared to the food-secure group (n = 4; 3.4%); who are passionate about healthy eating and use social media to follow active lifestyles. Both groups have similar proportions of ‘Aspirational Healthy Eaters’ (n = 32; 27.6% food-secure vs n = 8; 25.0% food insecure), who aspire to eat healthily but find it challenging, and ‘Contemplating Another Day’ (food insecure group n = 2; 6.3% compared to the food-secure group n = 5; 4.3%); who acknowledge the importance of healthy eating but do not prioritise it. Between group differences are statistically significant (p = 0.042). Regardless of food insecurity status, most respondents considered themselves highly skilled at various aspects of food preparation, food shopping and nutrition knowledge. A higher proportion of food-insecure individuals reported that people sought them out for healthy eating advice (43% vs 29%; p = 0.026). On average, food-insecure respondents reported being more knowledgeable about food budgeting (mean score difference on 5-point Likert scale = 0.5; p = 0.048) and buying cheaper cuts of meat to save money (mean score difference = 0.7; p < 0.001). However, food-insecure respondents reported being less able to keep basic pantry ingredients stocked for meal preparation (mean score difference = −0.6; p < 0.001). Unlike other Australian research⁽⁴⁾, food insecurity in this convenience sample of Australian adults does not appear to be associated with a lack of food skills, and food-insecure people may be more health conscious, and better at food budgeting despite more limited resources. The LEHS survey may offer a valuable framework for tailoring personalised nutrition interventions in a manner that respects and supports the dignity of food-insecure individuals.