• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.37-53
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of an agriculture and rural development ODA project in southern Nepal's Terai region to improve food security, and to suggest appropriate project approaches to improve food security. The subject of the analysis is the KOICA-funded 'Inclusive Rural Development project', and a framework for analyzing food security was established based on the FAO's four pillars of food security, and indicators were proposed to measure the food security of project farmers. The data for this study were obtained from a survey of project beneficiary farmers and their control group, and the effects of the project on food security were measured using a a t-test analysis, difference-in-difference analysis, propensity score matching-linear regression combined model (PSM-OLS) and a propensity score matching-difference-in-difference combined model(PSM-DID). The results showed that, in general, the ODA project treatment group had significant improvements in each of the four pillars of food security (food availability, access, utilization, and stability). In addition, cooperative membership had a positive impact on food security improvements, and there were also differences in outcomes among different ethnic groups in the Terai region. The implications of this study are that the Korean government's ODA policy should set aside the food security sector and incorporate food security indicators to contribute to the improvement of food security in ODA partner countries, and that agricultural and rural development ODA projects should include food security indicators as performance indicators in their pre-planning to contribute to securing food security for vulnerable groups as food insecurity is higher among vulnerable groups.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.9-9
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• 2022

The concept of food security has gained increasing attention during the food crisis period between 2006 and 2011. According to the FAO, food security is defined as an access by all people at all times to the food needed for healthy and active life. Achieving food security means that sufficient food is available, food supply is relatively stable, and those in need of food can afford food at a reasonable cost. After a short period of stable food prices the world is facing another food crisis due mainly to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion over Ukraine. Food security has re-emerged as an urgent problem to the world. There have been two conflicting opinions about how to achieve food security. Agricultural exporting countries insist diversification of food sources and freer trade on the top of domestic self-reliance. On the other hand, food importing countries emphasize self-sufficiency of major food crops. This study investigates whether domestic agricultural production contributes to strengthening food security. The panel data analysis shows that the increase in food self-sufficiency raises the Global Food Security Index and lessens the probability of food riots, while lower import tariffs (implying freer trade) do not. Some related issues are discussed accordingly.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.429-440
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• 2021

Objectives: Standardized guidelines and reference points for a food security policy are necessary to guarantee that basic social safety nets work properly. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the basic concepts and detailed dimensions of food security, including the potential relevant indicators, and sought to establish standardized well-being baselines. Methods: A literature review and 14 expert roundtable discussions were carried out to analyze and extract the key concepts of food security. After determining these concepts and detailed dimensions of food security, a conceptual framework was modeled. Then, indicators for each local government that could be monitored and evaluated for each sub-area were suggested. Results: The concept of food security was defined as follows: Individuals should be provided with sufficient, safe, and quality food, which should be accessible to the community and available for use to achieve health and well-being. In addition, food security should be ensured sustainably in a changing environment. Four dimensions were suggested while conceptualizing food security. First, sufficient food, which means sufficient food supply in quantity, quality, and safety. Second, equitable food which includes creating environments in which high-quality and safe food can be purchased at an appropriate price and can be provided regardless of the socioeconomic gap. Third, healthy food which should be provided to promote people's health and happiness through the eco-friendly consumption of food. Fourth, sustainable food, which can be supplied in a sustainable manner and as part of an eco-friendly food system that considers the conservation of natural environments. Conclusions: The basic concepts and detailed areas of food security including the potential indicators proposed in this study, may be useful for developing and implementing various policies and programs to support food and nutrition security in the future.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.387-396
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• 2008

Objectives : During the past two decades, food deprivation and hunger have been recognized to be not just the concerns of only underdeveloped or developing countries, but as problems for many affluent Western nations as well Many countries have made numerous efforts to define and measure the extent of these problems. Based on these efforts, the theory and practice of food security studies has significantly evolved during the last decades. Thus, this study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the concept and measurement of food security Methods and results : In this review, we introduce the definition and background of food security, we describe the impact of food insecurity on nutrition and health, we provide its measurements and operational instruments and we discuss its applications and implications. Some practical information for the use of the food security index in South Korea is also presented. Conclusions : Food security is an essential element in achieving a good nutritional and health status and it has an influence to reduce poverty The information about the current understanding of food security can help scientists, policy makers and program practitioners conduct research and maintain outreach programs that address the issues of poverty and the promotion of food security.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.33-38
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• 2022

The sowing campaign is taking place with great difficulty as a result of active military actions in the eastern and southern parts of the country, specializing in the cultivation of grain crops. Seaports are blocked, which creates new threats to global food security. The generalization of analytical data is aimed at characterizing the food security of Ukraine before and during military actions, followed by the designation of possible consequences, including on global food security. The generalizations made prove the need to consolidate the efforts of Ukraine, as one of the world's largest food producers, and international organizations in order to avoid the greatest catastrophe of mankind in its modern history, which will be caused by famine.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.374-385
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• 2009

This study aims to develop an index of food security in order to assess food security status in Korea and to evaluate reliability and validity of the index. The index of food security was developed based on the US Household Food Security Survey Module (US-HFSS). After the US-HFSS was translated and back-translated, it was evaluated and modified by a focus interview for experts. The developed Korean Household Food Security Survey Module (K-HFSS) was tested by cognitive interviews and a pretest for general community population to assess its application for Korean population. For the reliability and validity of K-HFSS, the survey was conducted with 300 adults aged 40 years or more living in a rural community and 212 infants and toddlers living in an urban community. The reliability was assessed by Cronbach' alpha and the validity was evaluated by content validity, construct validity, and criterion-related validity. The questionnaire items of K-HFSS were partly modified, accounting for Korean social and cultural backgrounds and adapted by general community population. The reliability was relatively high, showing Cronbach' alpha coefficients ranged from 0.80 (for adults) to 0.87 (for infants and toddlers). The content and construct validities were all acceptable. The result of criterion-related validity showed that food security status was significantly related to the household income level. In conclusion, the K-HFSS would be used as a reliable and valid instrument to assess food security status in parts of the Korean population.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.240-248
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• 2016

Objectives: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) adversely impacts food security in households of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Little research has focused on food insecurity among PLWHA in India. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of and factors relating to food security in households of PLWHA in the Siliguri subdivision of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was carried out among 173 PLWHA residing in Siliguri and registered at the Anti-retroviral Therapy Centre of North Bengal Medical College & Hospital. Data was collected at the household level with interviews of PLWHA using a food security survey instrument. We analyzed the associations using logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of household food security among the participants was 50.9% (88/173). Five years or more of schooling, higher socioeconomic class and males were found to be significantly associated with a higher likelihood of food security. A later stage of the disease and the presence of other family members with HIV/AIDS were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of food security. The major coping strategies to deal with food insecurity in the acute phase HIV infection included borrowing money (56.1%), followed by spousal support, loans from microfinance institutions, banks, or money lenders, borrowing food, or selling agricultural products. Conclusions: The present study revealed that only about half of households with PLWHA were food secure. Prior interventions relating to periods of food and economic crisis as well as strategies for sustaining food security and economic status are needed in this area.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.771-781
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of food security measures, which was developed based on the US household food security survey module (US HFSSM) with content validity in the Korean population. The reliability and validity were assessed by internal consistency, construct validity and criterion-related validity. The study included 446 households. Among those, 46.2% were households with children. The proportion of food insecure households was 33.3%. Among those, 35.4% and 64.6% households were food insecure with hunger and without hunger, respectively. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.84 and the infit value by the Rasch model analysis ranged from 0.68 to 1.43. The scale item response curves by food insecurity severity explained well the nature and characteristics of food security, indicating the highest proportion of "yes" for the items on diet quality, followed by those with diet quantity. The result of criterion-related validity showed that food insecurity status was significantly related in a dose-response manner with the household income level, food expenditure, subjective health state, subjects' educational level. Household food security status was also related to dietary diversity regarding protein foods, fruits and fruit juice, and milk and dairy product. These findings suggest that the food security instrument is reliable and valid and would be used to assess food security status in the Korean population.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.198-204
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Food shortage situation in North Korea has gained much interest, however food insecurity caused by the food shortage in North Korean households has not been much investigated. This study examined food security experiences and food consumption pattern of displaced North Korean households currently living in South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Food security experience among 51 North Korean households living in South Korea was examined using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) in three time points: immediately before childbirth, immediately before leaving North Korea, and immediately before entering South Korea. Meal/snack consumption frequencies and food diversity were also examined. RESULTS: Food security situation was the worst at the time of immediately before leaving North Korea with the average HFIAS score of 10.05. The households that were food insecure, they tended to be "severely" insecure. Although majority of the subjects reported having three or more meals a day, food diversity in their diet was very low with the average food diversity score of 2.17 immediately before childbirth and 1.74 immediately before leaving North Korea. Their diet appeared to heavily rely on grain and vegetable. CONCLUSIONS: This study is one of few that specifically examined food security of North Korean households with a pre-developed scale, and that demonstrated food security situation at different time points in quantified terms. Replicating this study with different groups of North Korean households for different time points would allow more complete understanding of impacts of food shortage. Food diversity score could provide a good way to examine changes of food consumption occurring to North Koreans in the process of adaptation. More attention to the changes occurring during adaption to South Korea should be given to understand the process and impact and to prepare public nutrition policy for the re-unified Korea.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.43-49
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• 2011