Household food insecurity in the Islamic Republic of Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Using a systematic review of all available studies between 1991 and 2011, the prevalence of food insecurity in the Islamic Republic of Iran was estimated. After document evaluation and data aggregation, studies were analysed in separate categories based on the methods used: dietary recall, household income/expenditure or experiential/perception-based surveys. Meta-analysis of dietary-recall studies showed small non-significant increases between 1994 and 2004 in the prevalence of mild (from 8.8% to 9.3%) and moderate food insecurity (from 5.4% to 5.6%). Severe food insecurity was 3.8% and 3.7% in 1994 and 2004 respectively. Prevalence of food insecurity (moderate to severe) based on household income/expenditure surveys was consistently reported to be 10%. A separate meta-analysis of experiential/perception-based studies revealed rates of mild, moderate and severe food insecurity of 28.6%, 14.9% and 6.0% respectively. By combining study results in this manner makes it possible to come up with more realistic estimates for evidence-informed policy-making, until development of a national food insecurity surveillance system.

Household food insecurity in the Islamic Republic of Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Using a systematic review of all available studies between 1991 and 2011, the prevalence of food insecurity in the Islamic Republic of Iran was estimated. After document evaluation and data aggregation, studies were analysed in separate categories based on the methods used: dietary recall, household income/expenditure or experiential/ perception-based surveys. Meta-analysis of dietary-recall studies showed small non-significant increases between 1994 and 2004 in the prevalence of mild [from 8.8% to 9.3%] and moderate food insecurity [from 5.4% to 5.6%]. Severe food insecurity was 3.8% and 3.7% in 1994 and 2004 respectively. Prevalence of food insecurity [moderate to severe] based on household income/expenditure surveys was consistently reported to be 10%. A separate meta-analysis of experiential/perception-based studies revealed rates of mild, moderate and severe food insecurity of 28.6%,14.9% and 6.0% respectively. By combining study results in this manner makes it possible to come up with more realistic estimates for evidence-informed policy-making, until development of a national food insecurity surveillance system

Une revue systématique de toutes les études disponibles entre 1991 et 2011 a permis d'estimer la prévalence de l'insécurité alimentaire en République islamique d'Iran. Après évaluation documentaire et agrégation des données, les études ont été analysées dans des catégories distinctes en fonction des méthodes appliquées : rappel de l'alimentation, revenu/dépenses par ménage ou enquêtes fondées sur l'expérience/la perception. La méta-analyse des études de rappel de l'alimentation a mis en évidence de faibles augmentations non significatives entre 1994 et 2004 de la prévalence de l'insécurité alimentaire légère [de 8,8 % à 9,3 %] et modérée [de 5,4 % à 5,6 %]. L'insécurité alimentaire sévère était de 3,8 % et 3,7 % en 1994 et 2004 respectivement. La prévalence de l'insécurité alimentaire [modérée à sévère] estimée à partir des enquêtes de revenu/dépenses des ménages a été rapportée de manière constante à 10 %. Une méta-analyse distincte des études fondées sur l'expérience/la perception a révélé des pourcentages d'insécurité alimentaire légère, modérée et sévère de 28,6 %,14,9 % et 6,0 %,respectivement. En associant les résultats d'étude de cette façon, il est possible de parvenir à des estimations plus réalistes pour alimenter des politiques fondées sur des preuves, en attendant d'avoir mis en place un système de surveillance de l'insécurité alimentaire au niveau national