Household expenditure patterns correlate with food security status in West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Economic access is an important factor in food security. Understanding food and non-food expenditure patterns is crucial to addressing food insecurity at the household level. This study investigated the relationship between both food and non-food expenditures and household food security. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected through structured interviews with 300 households in Cianjur District and Sukabumi City, West Java, from June to December 2022. The study examined variables including household socioeconomic characteristics, food and non-food expenditures, and food security status, measured using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests, and Spearman correlation tests to explore differences and correlations between expenditure patterns and food security. Results revealed that 200 households were food insecure, exhibiting disparities in educational backgrounds and occupational statuses among household heads. Food secure households had higher incomes and allocated more to protein-rich foods and non-food needs like health, transportation, and education, while food insecure households spent more on water and basic needs. Further correlation analysis identified a correlation between lower expenditure on protein sources and food insecurity, indicating the risk of protein inadequacy among food insecure households. Tertiary non-food expenditure patterns correlated with food security, while increased water expenses were associated with food insecurity. This study contributes insights into the dynamics of household expenditures and their implications for food security, highlighting the importance of addressing both food and non-food factors in developing comprehensive strategies for enhancing household welfare and food security.