A geospatial approach to understanding food insecurity at a regional scale
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22427884 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Aimee Russell (0009-0005-6226-4516, University of Ulster, corresponding author), Sinéad Furey (0000-0001-7100-3098, University of Ulster), Emeir M McSorley (0000-0003-1861-3991, University of Ulster), Caomhan Logue (0000-0002-8594-5497, University of Ulster), Paul McKenzie (0000-0003-2117-8724, University of Ulster) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Publication date | 2026-12-31 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Maps (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1744-5647 • E-ISSN: 1744-5647 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/17445647.2026.2698225 |
| OpenAlex | W7167943953 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 64 |
Food Insecurity affects approximately 2.3 billion people globally, with limited studies addressing the spatial nature of the crisis. This study developed a Food Insecurity Risk Index for Northern Ireland using 19 variables grouped into five weighted themes: affordability, awareness, access, availability, and health. The variables were normalised and analysed using Geographic Information Systems, with Anselin Local Moran’s I applied to identify spatial clusters of risk. Findings revealed great variability across urban and rural regions of greater risk; however, larger towns and cities showed lower vulnerability overall. The spatial analysis illustrated clear patterns linked to food insecurity, identifying clusters that can benefit from targeted support. The index offers a replicable, high-resolution tool for visualising risk across small geographic units. This enables policy makers and stakeholders to allocate resources more effectively and plan tailored interventions. As a scalable model, it has potential utility to address food insecurity across global regions.
Food insecurity · Food security · Geographic information system · Geospatial analysis · Human geography · Agriculture, Land Use, Rural Development · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Organic Food and Agriculture
Austerity and health
Obesogenic environments
“Food deserts”—evidence and assumption in health policy making
Social and spatial inequalities of contemporary food deserts
How are Neighborhood and Street-Level Walkability Factors Associated with Walking Behaviors? A Big Data Approach Using Street View Images
Multiscale GIS based-model to assess urban social vulnerability and associated risk
Measuring food poverty in Ireland
Urban‐rural disparities in childhood obesogenic environments in the United States
The changing food environment and neighborhood prevalence of type 2 diabetes
Understanding the post-2010 increase in food bank use in England
Determinants of food insecurity among adults residing in peri-urban municipal settings in Flanders, Belgium
Food insecurity in Detroit
The 10th Food Choice Conference 2002
Neighbourhood socioeconomic inequalities in food access and affordability
Urban foodscape trends
Beyond Food Deserts
The measurement of household food security
Local authorities’ policy responses to food insecurity in a crisis support context in the UK
Links of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program With Food Insecurity, Poverty, and Health
Obesity and Supermarket Access
Mapping rural food poverty
Deprivation, Diet, and Food-Retail Access
Do neighbourhood characteristics act together to influence BMI? A cross-sectional study of urban parks and takeaway/fast-food stores as modifiers of the effect of physical activity facilities
Food for thought
Impact of Welfare Benefit Sanctioning on Food Insecurity
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |