Household food security, coping strategies and nutritional status of women in Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, Ogun State

Despite food security being pivotal to human and sustainable development, it remains an issue of global concern. This study was designed to assess Household Food Security, Coping Strategies, and Nutritional Status of Women. The study was cross-sectional in design. Three hundred non-pregnant women aged 20–45 were selected using multi-stage sampling. Data on personal and anthropometric characteristics, as well as dietary intake, were obtained using adapted and structured questionnaires. Dietary diversity scores were assessed using the women’s dietary diversity score (MDD-W), and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to assess food security status. Coping Strategies Index was calculated based on the number of days a specific strategy was employed and its severity. The mean age was 30.6 ± 6.9 years. More than half (70%) have abdominal obesity, and 50.7% were at risk of cardiovascular diseases. Also, 11% of the respondents were underweight, 20.7% were overweight, and 18.7% were obese. Adequate intake of calories (75.3%), carbohydrates (84.3%), protein (89.3%) fat (89.3%), iron (75.3%) and severely inadequate intake of vitamin C (94.3%), phosphorus (76.7%), magnesium (86%), calcium and potassium (100%) were observed among the respondents. More than half (65%) of the respondents were food insecure, and a few (15.7%) had high coping strategy index. Age was significantly associated with food security status (p = 0.036). Also, a significant association was found between food security status and coping strategy index (p = 0.000). Local health and community agencies should integrate age-sensitive strategies into food security initiatives to ensure equitable access to nutritious food for the women.