Food Insecurity (also known as Food Insecurities, Insecurities, Food): Limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in safe and socially acceptable ways.

NIH MeSH · D000084884Technology, Industry, and Agriculture

Food Insecurity

Also known asFood Insecurities · Insecurities, Food · Insecurity, Food · Food Rationing · Rationing, Food

Definition

Limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in safe and socially acceptable ways.

MeSH classification

  • J01.576.423.750.688

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Related concepts

Access to Healthy Foods

Convenient availability to affordable foods that support healthy eating patterns. Access may be limited due to having a limited income or li…

Famine

The conditions when at least 20 per cent of households in an area face extreme food shortages with a limited ability to cope; acute malnutri…

Food Deserts

Areas characterized by relatively poor access to healthy and affordable food.

Food Markets

Retail markets that sell food, especially fresh produce, meat, and seafood.

Food Security

Access generally by all in a community to enough nutritious food for an active, healthy life. (from http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsec/ accessed 4…

Food Supply

The production and movement of food items from point of origin to use or consumption.

Common questions about Food Insecurity

What does Food Insecurity mean in medicine?
Limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in safe and socially acceptable ways. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Food Insecurity known by any other names?
Yes. Food Insecurity is also referred to as Food Insecurities, Insecurities, Food, Insecurity, Food, Food Rationing in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Food Insecurity sit in the medical classification?
Food Insecurity falls under the broader medical category "Technology, Industry, and Agriculture" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: J01.576.423.750.688). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Food Insecurity?
For a plain-language explanation of Food Insecurity - including symptoms, treatments and what it means for an Indian patient - ask GoDavaii's Health AI. It works in 22+ Indian languages, is free and needs no signup. Tap "Ask GoDavaii AI about Food Insecurity" above.

Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D000084884) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗