Results of an in-depth survey on food security to study and improve household food security using knowledge in food science, nutrition, and food production technology in 10 provinces of Thailand after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the factors affecting the food security of Thai households by using a food science perspective. The research employed quantitative methods, collecting data from 4,001 sample households across 10 provinces in Thailand using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) questionnaire. Results revealed that 75.38% of households were food secure, while 24.62% were food insecure. Key factors affecting food security included the household head's education level, household income, agricultural activity, and natural disasters. Additionally, it was found that food-insecure households tended to consume food of lower quality and nutritional value. This study highlights the importance of developing food production and processing technologies and providing nutritional education to promote food security, leading to improved food quality, nutrition, and production technologies in the ten pilot provinces following the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing advancements in food production and processing technologies and providing knowledge in nutrition and marketing to the public.