Questionnaire-Description

The Food Security Status – Short Form (FSS-SF-6) is a 6-question short questionnaire used to measure food security in households or individuals. The tool aims to identify the level of food insecurity, meaning the lack of reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
The FSS-SF-6 is a shortened version of the full food security questionnaire and is often used in surveys to quickly identify households that may be experiencing difficulties with their food supply due to economic or social constraints.

Data Analysis and Usage

The data collected via the FSS-SF-6 are analyzed to categorize households or individuals into different levels of food security, such as:
High or Marginal Food Security: When the household does not experience significant difficulties accessing food.
Moderate Food Insecurity: When households report difficulties in the adequacy or quality of their food.
Severe Food Insecurity: When there is a significant lack of food or a reduction in meal frequency due to lack of resources.
The analysis can include simple statistical descriptions (such as the percentage of households facing food insecurity) as well as more complex statistical techniques, such as correlation analysis with other socioeconomic indicators (e.g., income, employment).

Purpose

The goal of the FSS-SF-6 is the rapid assessment of food security levels in different populations. It is used by health organizations, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations to:
Monitor the food security situation at the population level.
Identify vulnerable groups that may need interventions.
Collect data that contribute to policy-making to improve food security.

Calibration

The calibration of the FSS-SF-6 is based on the frequency and intensity of responses to the six questions. Each question relates to a specific dimension of food security, such as food insufficiency, meal reduction, or food quality. Calibration includes:
Overall Score: Each response is scored, and the total of the responses is used to determine the household or individual’s food security level.
Categorization: Households are categorized into high, moderate, or severe food insecurity based on the number and type of positive responses.
Reliability and Validity: Psychometric methods, such as calculating Cronbach’s alpha, are used to ensure the reliability of the tool.

Bibliography

Bickel, G., Nord, M., Price, C., Hamilton, W., & Cook, J. (2000). Guide to measuring household food security. United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service.
Coleman-Jensen, A., Rabbitt, M. P., Gregory, C. A., & Singh, A. (2022). Household Food Security in the United States in 2021. United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
Hager, E. R., Quigg, A. M., Black, M. M., Coleman, S. M., Heeren, T., Rose-Jacobs, R., & Frank, D. A. (2010). Development and validity of a 2-item screen to identify families at risk for food insecurity. Pediatrics, 126(1), e26-e32.