Agricultural activity and household food insecurity in Peru: evidence based on the Young Lives cohort study

Food insecurity (FI) has increased in developing countries, with Peru having the highest FI in South America. This study aimed to analyze the association between agricultural activities and FI in 1,705 adolescent households. The main economic activity reported by the households was used to identify those engaged in agriculture. 57.65% of households experienced FI, and 36.01% engaged in agricultural activity. Agricultural households showed a higher prevalence of FI compared to those in other economic activities, with wage-earning agricultural activities being the most vulnerable. Peruvian adolescents’ households whose primary source of income was agriculture were more vulnerable to FI.