Food Insecurity: A Concept Analysis

AIM. To report an analysis of the concept of food insecurity in order to (a) propose a theoretical model of food insecurity useful to nursing; and (b) discuss its implications for nursing practice, nursing research, and health promotion. BACKGROUND. A total of 48 million Americans are food insecure. As food insecurity is associated with multiple negative health effects, nursing intervention is warranted. DESIGN. Concept analysis. DATA SOURCES. A literature search was conducted in May 2014 in Scopus and MEDLINE using the exploded term food insecur*. No year limit was placed. Government websites and popular media were searched to ensure a full understanding of the concept. REVIEW METHODS. Iterative analysis, using the Walker and Avant method. RESULTS. Food insecurity is defined by uncertain ability or inability to procure food, inability to procure enough food, being unable to live a healthy life, and feeling unsatisfied. A proposed theoretical model of food insecurity, adapted from the Socio-Ecological Model, identifies three layers of food insecurity (individual, community, society), with potential for nursing impact at each level. CONCLUSION. Nurses must work to fight food insecurity. There exists a potential for nursing impact that is currently unrealized. Nursing impact can be guided by a new conceptual model, Food Insecurity Within the Nursing Paradigm.