Food Security Status, Dietary Diversity, and Food-Related Coping Strategies Among Female Young Adults in Ibadan, Nigeria

Food insecurity disproportionately affects women of reproductive age due to socioeconomic vulnerabilities and increased nutritional demands. This study investigated the food security status, dietary diversity, and coping mechanisms employed by female young adults in Ibadan, Nigeria. A cross- sectional study was conducted among 404 female young adults aged 18-35 years, recruited through a non-probability convenience sampling approach. Food security and MDD-W was determined using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) and Diet Quality Questionnaire, respectively. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Most of the respondents (70.3%) were aged 18-24 years and approximately 64% had completed tertiary education. Only 26.7% of the respondents were food secure and 64% had met the minimum dietary diversity score. The most common coping strategies included relying on less preferred and less expensive foods (77.1%) and borrowing food or relying on help from a friend or relative (11.2%). In the multivariable binary logistic regression model, minimum dietary diversity (unmet vs. met; AOR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.27–4.36), monthly income (₦50,000 and below vs. ₦100,001 and above; AOR = 21.79, 95% CI: 8.30–57.23), and living arrangement (with family vs. alone; AOR = 3.57, 95% CI: 1.34–9.55) were significantly associated with food insecurity. While food insecurity was highly prevalent among young female adults in Ibadan, dietary diversity was relatively better, with about two-thirds of respondents meeting the minimum recommended threshold. Adverse coping strategies were also identified. Targeted interventions are needed to improve food access and strengthen women's food security.