Single parents and people with long-term health conditions disproportionately vulnerable to food insecurity: Study

Single parents and people with long-term health conditions are more likely to be experiencing severe forms of food insecurity, according to a new study by the University of Sheffield.

The study, published in Public Health Nutrition, found that food insecurity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2021-2023 was concentrated among economically disadvantaged groups; those with low incomes or unemployed, younger respondents, households containing children and mixed-race respondents. Severe food insecurity was concentrated among respondents with long-term health conditions and food hypersensitivities.

The study looked at the characteristics of adults who reported experiencing food insecurity of differing severity to better understand which groups were most affected, and whether these groups were also accessing emergency food, typically from food banks.

Food insecurity can range from being a marginal issue, such as commonly worrying about having enough access to food, to those experiencing very low food security in which people are forced to reduce their food intake, such as by skipping meals or reducing portion sizes.

The study found that receiving emergency help from a food bank was more prevalent among adults experiencing food insecurity, those unemployed or unable to work due to poor health, and low-income respondents. Worryingly for the researchers, it showed households containing children, and those with a long-term health condition or food hypersensitivity—a food allergy or condition like celiac disease, which can restrict the diet—were associated with more severe experiences of food insecurity, yet this was not accompanied by an increase in food bank use.

Dr. Elisabeth Garratt, from the University of Sheffield’s School of Education, said, “It is perhaps unsurprising that those in our communities who are members of lower-income households experience forms of food insecurity, but what was less known, however, was that single parents, or those with long-term health conditions and food hypersensitivities, are more likely to experience more severe forms of food insecurity, yet may be unable to access help from emergency food providers.

“This is a consideration that has not previously been explored in this way, and that demonstrates a divergence between need and crisis support that creates further vulnerability among these groups, ones where good nutrition may be of particular importance.

“Previous research has linked food insecurity with a range of nutrition and health-related outcomes, including reduced dietary quality, poor general health and even mental health problems in both adults and children. The consequences of food insecurity make it a health, social, and policy emergency.”

Analyzing data from the Food Standards Agency’s flagship “Food and You 2” survey from 2021-2023, the researchers found 20.8% of the respondents had experience of food insecurity within the last 12 months, which equates to 12.4 million adults across England, Wales and Northern Ireland in October 2022–January 2023. Of those, 3.6% of the respondents (or 1.8 million adults) had also used a food bank or emergency food provider in the past year.

Dr. Beth Armstrong, from the University of Sheffield’s School of Geography and Planning, said, “We are able to see there are barriers to food security, leaving certain groups particularly at risk from any nutrition and health-related consequences. The findings clearly highlight the divide between those in need, and the support available.

“Although food banks provide much needed help for those in crisis, they are not a long-term solution to food insecurity being experienced across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and there is an urgent need for more discussion about how the most vulnerable in our society are reached by any help that is made available. This is a clear call to strengthen policy responses and ensure a robust food strategy to tackle food insecurity.”