Rebecca McKechnie|Gavin Turrell|Katrina Giskes|Danielle Gallegos
Single?item measure of food insecurity used in the National Health Survey may underestimate prevalence in Australia
Australian Catholic University
compare prevalence estimates food insecurity using singleitem measure three adaptations united states department agriculture food security survey module usdafssmdata collected postal survey individuals aged 18 years disadvantaged suburbs brisbane australia n 505 53 response food security status ascertained australian singleitem measure 6 10 18item versions usdafssm prevalence estimates food insecurity different levels severity food insecurity estimated tool determined data analysed using mcnemars test polychoric correlation rasch analysesthe prevalence food insecurity 195 using singleitem measure significantly less 244 228 211 identified using 18item 10item 6item versions usdafssm respectively rasch analyses revealed overall usdafssm may valid tool measurement food insecurity within current samplethe measure food insecurity employed national surveys australia may underestimate prevalence public health significance implications public health future monitoring surveillance efforts seek employ accurate measure first step recognising right food australians