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14-Jan-2025
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Arch Hellen Med, 42(1), January-February 2025, 49-61 ORIGINAL PAPER Panhellenic study on the knowledge and perceptions regarding food security in Greece M. Kouvari, A. Kanellopoulou, D.B. Panagiotakos |
ΟBJECTIVE To investigate the knowledge and perceptions of adults in Greece on food security.
METHOD During April to June 2023, a nationwide study was implemented using an anonymized questionnaire, disseminated via online platforms.
RESULTS Overall, 1,109 individuals (45% response rate) participated in the study (women: 56.7% [n=629], mean age: 35 [16] years); 58.5% of the sample were living in the Attica Region. Totally, 54.6% of the sample seemed to understand that food security is a compiled term which encompasses the access not only to sufficient food but also to safe and healthy food. However, when participants were asked if sufficient food is enough to determine the presence or absence of food security in a household –irrespective of the food quality– an increased rate of uncertainty was observed with 1 to 4 responders not knowing the answer, and only 15% of them correctly disagreed on this statement. Additionally, only 13% of the sample agreed that hunger is an indicator of food insecurity. Food prices and inflation were recognized as the most important barriers against food security by almost 60% of the participants. Sustainable agricultural practices, as well as production and consumption of local food products were recognized as most important facilitators in favor of food security. Individual dietary modifications, such as reduction of meat consumption and increased consumption of plant-based products were not recognized as practices that could facilitate food security, with an uncertainty rate greater than 50% of the participants.
CONCLUSIONS The evolving and multidimensional crisis in Europe is threatening for the food security status of the country, demanding timely, tailor-made, multi-level policies and practices on an individual and collective basis.
Key words: Climate change, COVID-19, Financial crisis, Food insecurity, Nationwide survey.