| Objective: There is limited information in Kurdish-inhabited areas of Iran on the prevalence of
food insecurity, dietary patterns, and socioeconomic factors that are related to food insecurity. We investigated
mentioned factors among Kurdish population, focusing on high school students and their families. Study
design: Cross sectional study Design: A cross-sectional study on 364 high-school students and their families
was done. Food insecurity was evaluated with the use of the USDA 18-Item Household Food Security Questionnaire.
Food insecurity, food frequency questionnaires and socio-economic(the combination or interaction
of social and economic factors) data were filled out during face to face interviews with students and their
mothers. Results: The overall food insecurity prevalence in the studied population was 41.8% (38.4% and
49.1% for urban and rural areas, respectively). There were three dietary patterns in the studied subjects. In the
studied subjects food insecurity was associated with dietary pattern (P<0.05). Food insecurity was associated
with father’s job, mother’s job, father’s education, mother’s age, household’s economic status, and grade point
average. Conclusion: Food insecurity is common and is in the range of other part of Iran among Iranian Kurdish
population. Associations between food insecurity, dietary pattern, parents related factors and economic
status demonstrated. |