In response to a growing demand for high-quality and internationally-comparable statistics, FAO develops, implements and promotes methods and standards to guide national data producers in generating and using sound statistics. In particular, the Organization is committed to provide national statistical systems with internationally recognized definitions, concepts and classifications as well as methodological guidance for the production of high quality statistics related to food and agriculture.
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Abstract: Samples used in most surveys are either not large enough to guarantee reliable direct estimates for all relevant sub-populations, or do not cover all possible disaggregation domains. After having described a holistic strategy for producing disaggregated estimates of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators, this paper discusses alternative sampling and estimation methods that can be applied when sample surveys are the primary data source. In particular, the paper focuses on strategies that can be implemented at different stages of the statistical production process. At the design stage, the paper describes a series of sampling approaches that ensure a “sufficient” sampling size for each disaggregation domain. In this context, the article highlights the main limitations of traditional sampling approaches and shows how ad-hoc techniques could overcome some of their key constraints. At the analysis stage, it discusses an indirect model-assisted estimation approach to integrate data from independent surveys and censuses, eliminating costs deriving from redesigning data collection instruments, and ensuring a greater accuracy of the final disaggregated estimates. A case study applying the abovementioned method on the production of disaggregated estimates of SDG Indicator 2.1.2 (Prevalence of Moderate and Severe Food Insecurity) is then presented along with its main results.
Lead authoring unit/office: Office of Chief Statistician (OCS)
Abstract: This technical report presents a case study based on the so-called “projection estimator”, allowing the integration of two independent surveys for the production of synthetic disaggregated estimates. In particular, the publication presents a practical exercise focused on the production of disaggregated estimates for SDG Indicator 2.1.2, on the Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food Insecurity in the population based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). It complements the Guidelines on data disaggregation for SDG Indicators using survey data (FAO, 2021), which offer methodological and practical guidance for the production of direct and indirect estimates of SDG indicators having surveys as their main or preferred data source.
Lead authoring unit/office: Office of Chief Statistician (OCS)
Abstract: Little research has been conducted on the association of food insecurity, particularly at the moderate level, and dietary consumption in low- and middle-income countries. This study expands on previous works by considering cross-country comparable measures of food insecurity that are calibrated against the global Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). The FAO Statistics Division has been publishing estimates of the prevalence of food insecurity, based on the FIES, since 2017. The FIES is the first standardized measure, of people's direct experiences of food insecurity, appropriate for application on a global scale. The prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity based on the FIES is one of the official SDG indicators (2.1.2). The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between the severity of food insecurity, as measured with the FIES (or an analogous experience-based food insecurity scale calibrated to the global reference scale), and dietary intake using microdata from four middle-income countries from different world regions: Kenya, Mexico, Samoa, and Sudan.
Lead authoring unit/office: Statistics Division (ESS)
Abstract: This document reflects the latest reference metadata information available on SDG-indicator 2.1.1 "Prevalence of undernourishment". Last updated: February 2021.
Lead authoring unit/office: FAO
Abstract: This document reflects the latest reference metadata information available on SDG-indicator 2.1.2 "Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale". Last updated: February 2021.
Lead authoring unit/office: FAO
Abstract: Since the launch of the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) indicator in 2015, new global developments and research conducted in three countries to further determine best practices in the data collection resulted in new information and guidelines. This research was supported by capacity-development activities on the assessment of individual food consumption. This publication is an update to the 2016 FAO/FHI 360 joint publication MDD-W: A Guide to Measurement. It includes guidance on the most accurate and valid methodologies on collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data on women’s dietary diversity, for use in research, impact assessment and large-scale, health and nutrition surveys such as the Demographic Health Survey (DHS), to generate nationally representative data, that are comparable over time and across countries. In addition to supporting the regular collection of high-quality dietary data following standardized methodologies, the publication also aims to promote dialogues on and appropriate application of the data towards informing policy and programming decisions and monitoring and evaluation of nutrition outcomes and progress at global, regional, and country levels.
Lead authoring unit/office: FAO
Abstract: One of the main pillars of food security is food supply, which refers to the availability of sufficient quantities of food of appropriate quality, supplied through domestic production or imports. In this paper, we use quantities of commercialized foods from the Supply and Utilization Accounts (SUA) compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to analyze trends in food available for consumption based on by region and country income level group. Results show that, in general, food groups available for consumption differ across income-level country groups. There are nonetheless evident regional trends. Low-income and lower-middle-income countries have a high reliance on staple foods, and only upper-middle-income countries and Asia have enough fruits and vegetables available to meet the FAO/World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of consuming a minimum of 400 grams per day. In addition, the availability of animal-source foods, as well as sugars and fats, overall is highest in high-income countries, but it is increasing fast in upper-middle-income countries. This document is part of FAO Statistics Working Paper Series.
Lead authoring unit/office: Statistics Division (ESS)
Abstract: This paper presents new estimates of the extent of food consumption inequality in mainland China and discusses their implications for the estimated prevalence of undernourishment (PoU). The new food consumption inequality estimates are based on the joint analysis of food consumption and food expenditure data obtained from two separate household surveys, covering the period from 2011 to 2017. The results reveal much less inequality in dietary energy consumption than previously assumed and imply a substantial downward revision of the estimated series of the PoU for China, which becomes more in line with other assessments of food insecurity and with other development indicators. This document is part of FAO Statistics Working Paper Series. Revised 27 July 2020, minor edits made on p. 16
Lead authoring unit/office: Statistics Division (ESS)
Abstract: Food-based dietary guidelines (also known as dietary guidelines) are intended to establish a basis for public food and nutrition, health and agricultural policies and nutrition education programmes to foster healthy eating habits and lifestyles. They provide advice on foods, food groups and dietary patterns to provide the required nutrients to the general public to promote overall health and prevent chronic diseases.
Lead authoring unit/office: Statistics Division (ESS)
Abstract: This course focuses on SDG Indicator 2.1.1, which is one of two indicators that focus on food insecurity. The PoU is an estimate of the proportion of the population facing serious food deprivation, and is derived from official national level information on food supply and consumption, and energy needs. This course has been developed to support countries in analysis and reporting for Indicator 2.1.1.
Lead authoring unit/office: FAO
