Food insecurity is a global trend and due to the impact on persons’ quality of life, it has been characterized as a public health priority¹. Many researchers concluded that food insecurity increases the prevalence of several chronic diseases^2-4. In light of the above and having in mind that in Cyprus, 28.6% of population is suffering from at least two chronic diseases⁵, the examination of the relationship between food insecurity and chronic disease in the Cypriot population is essential. It is worth mentioning that this is the first attempt to document the severity of the food insecurity within the Cypriot population since there are no data regarding the food insecurity in Cyprus.
The study aims to investigate the food insecurity and chronic diseases morbidity in the Cypriot population. In addition, we will examine the possible association between participant’s nutritional behavior, sociodemographic factors and presence of chronic diseases.
The present cross-sectional study will include at least 1145 persons of over 18 years of age, residing to the Cyprus government-controlled area. Participants will be asked to complete certain questionnaires which will be provided during face-to-face meetings with trained researchers. Sample will be collected by using a stratified sampling procedure based on participant’s region, age, and gender. The participants will be asked to answer questionnaires in relation to their medical history, food insecurity, socio-demographic variables, meal frequency consumption, late night overeating, nutritional habits and physical activity.
Based on the collected results, we will be able to design effective intervention programs to limit food insecurity in Cyprus in one hand and at the same time to reduce the chronic disease’s prevalence.