Evaluating Global and National Tools for Measuring Food Security and Insecurity: A Comprehensive and Critical Review

Food security is a complex and multifaceted concept that varies significantly across regions due to differing socio-economic and environmental conditions. Despite extensive research, there is no consensus in the scientific community regarding a standardized method for measuring food security and insecurity. Existing assessment tools often focus on subjective experiences and are limited in scope, typically evaluating only one dimension of food insecurity, such as access. This study highlights the need for developing comprehensive and context-specific scales that better capture the multidimensional nature of food security. A systematic review of global literature from ۱۹۹۹ to ۲۰۲۳ reveals a growing interest in the development of food security indices, especially after ۲۰۱۸. The review also shows that many studies remain isolated with limited thematic interaction, underscoring the importance of integrating indigenous and regionally adapted indicators. Additionally, a wide range of scales used worldwide and within Iran are summarized, each with distinct objectives, dimensions, and temporal scopes. This paper calls for the advancement of innovative measurement approaches that incorporate availability, access, utilization, and stability dimensions to provide a holistic understanding of food security. The findings serve as a foundation for researchers and policymakers aiming to design more effective tools to assess and address food insecurity, tailored to the specific needs of diverse populations.

کلیدواژه ها:

Food security ، Food insecurity ، Global indices ، National scales ، Measurement tools