Food insecurity: its relationship to dietary intake and body weight among Somali refugee women in the United States

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between food insecurity, dietary intake, and body mass index among Somali refugee women living in the United States.

Methods: Cross-sectional study utilizing the snowball sampling method.

Results: Most (67%) participants experienced some level of food insecurity, which was common among recent arrivals and those who spoke only Somali at home (P < .05). Intake of meat and eggs was higher, whereas intake of fruits and vegetables was lower, among food insecure than secure participants. Food insecurity was positively related to overweight and obesity (odds ratio: 2.66; confidence interval: 1.25-5.69; P < .01).

Conclusions and implications: Somali refugees experienced high levels of food insecurity upon resettlement. Poor dietary habits and the high overweight/obesity rate among insecure families call for future research in understanding what role family structure, cultural norms, and food preference play in predicting food security and dietary habits among Somali and overall African refugees in the United States.