Food Insecurity: A Concept Analysis

Aim To report an analysis of the concept of food insecurity in order to (a) propose a theoretical model of food insecurity useful to nursing; and (b) discuss its implications for nursing practice, nursing research, and health promotion. Background A total of 48 million A mericans are food insecure. As food insecurity is associated with multiple negative health effects, nursing intervention is warranted. Design Concept analysis. Data sources A literature search was conducted in M ay 2014 in S copus and MEDLINE using the exploded term “food insecur*.” No year limit was placed. Government websites and popular media were searched to ensure a full understanding of the concept. Review Methods Iterative analysis, using the W alker and A vant method. Results Food insecurity is defined by uncertain ability or inability to procure food, inability to procure enough food, being unable to live a healthy life, and feeling unsatisfied. A proposed theoretical model of food insecurity, adapted from the S ocio‐ E cological M odel, identifies three layers of food insecurity (individual, community, society), with potential for nursing impact at each level. Conclusion Nurses must work to fight food insecurity. There exists a potential for nursing impact that is currently unrealized. Nursing impact can be guided by a new conceptual model, F ood I nsecurity W ithin the N ursing P aradigm.SchroederSmaldone