Diet Diversity in sanction situation; Case study of rural areas of Gorgan

Since 35 years back Iranian economy is experiencing different type of sanctions, in recent years the severity of sanctions increased, as for this fact, it is important to study food security situation under sanction condition in local and micro communities. Food security is defined as situation in which every member of a community has physical as well as economic access to adequate and healthy food for an active life. Diet diversity is commonly used as an index of food security. In this research work an attempt is made to gauge food security situation in rural areas of Gorgan. For the purpose of this research Beri index is used as an index of diversity. Results of cluster analysis showed that 152 households are classified in first cluster with average Beri index of 0.74 which means these 152 household consumed a diversified diet. Cluster analysis further classified 114 households with average Beri index of 0.64 in cluster 2 which means a relatively diversified diet and only one household with Beri index of 0.36 is classified in cluster three which is non-diversified diet.

Keywords:

Sanction , Food Security , Dietary Diversity , Beri index , Cluster Analysis