Commentary: Assessing food insecurity in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

In summary, the US approach to develop an experience-based measure of food insecurity that can be readily implemented in surveys has proven to be highly successful. This success rests on the careful development and validation of the measure. The approach used in the US holds great promise for developing suitable experienced-based measures of food insecurity in other settings. Achieving this promise requires implementing the approach fully, rather than simply using uncritically a measure that was previously developed in another setting. Based on our research developing such measures, we have prepared a manual to guide researchers and programme staff who wish to undertake this approach. The manual outlines a series of steps to be completed in 3 months or less, and is available at web address.