Using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale, the present study aimed to assess the sociodemographic predictors of food insecurity among adult men and women in Cameroon. By examining the sociodemographic characteristics of individuals, such as age, education level, marital status, and household wealth level, this study identified the predictors that can help policymakers develop targeted interventions. The results indicate that well over half of participants were food insecure, with about a quarter of the participants facing moderate food insecurity, and 29% facing severe food insecurity, which is comparable to the African average of 66.2% moderate to severe food insecurity in 2020 [25]. Food insecurity is a multifactorial issue and can be caused by diverse factors including low agricultural productivity, harsh climatic conditions, slow economic growth, poor governance which can affect national capacity to produce or acquire adequate [25,26,27]. in Cameroon, the alarming level of food insecurity is a major concern for public health, and for programs towards the Sustainable Development Goal 2 of achieving zero hunger by 2030 [28].

Regarding the sociodemographic factors, the results showed that participants in the higher age groups are more likely to experience severe food insecurity compared with the youngest age group of 15–19 years. The possible explanations behind this could include financial hardships, income earning opportunities, and poorer health conditions that can contribute to food insecurity. Interestingly, women were less likely to experience severe food insecurity which is contrary to the previous findings [29, 30]. It is generally thought that the traditional gender roles in many societies limit women’s access to resources and thereby resulting greater risk of food insecurity. Among men, on the other hand, the higher risk of food insecurity could be due to societal norms that place pressure on men as the main providers for their families, fulfilling which can involve higher levels of stress and anxiety and thereby making it challenging to prioritize their own nutritional needs. Widowed individuals had higher probability of experiencing food insecurity compared to their married counterparts, which is probably due to lower income earning opportunities. Financial well-being, and other socioeconomic factors are key determinant of food security and those who experience material poverty and are with low socioeconomic standing can face significant challenges in maintaining food security [4, 31,32,33].

The role of socioeconomic factors on food security was also reflected in the present findings as higher education levels, employment status, and land ownership showed a positive association with food security. People with higher education levels and those employed in white or blue-collar jobs are less likely to experience severe food insecurity compared to those who are unemployed. Moreover, participants who owned land jointly with others showed a lower probability of severe food insecurity while those that did not own land showed a higher probability, highlighting the importance of property ownership on food security [34]. As expected, participants in the households from higher wealth levels had consistently lower probabilities of both moderate and severe food insecurity. Another important finding was the role of household head’s sex on the probability for severe food insecurity. We found that households headed by females showed a lower probability of severe food insecurity, which is contrary to the findings of a meta-analysis that showed a greater risk of food insecurity among women-headed households [30]. Regarding, geographic factors, rural residency showed a lower probability of severe food insecurity which is probably due to lower cost of living and greater access to agricultural and natural resources which can provide a source of food and income. Households in most regions had higher probabilities of food insecurity compared to Adamawa region, except for households in Far North region which showed a lower probability of severe food insecurity. The variations in food insecurity across different regions of Cameroon are an important aspect of our study findings. Further investigation is required to provide a comprehensive explanation for the relatively better food security situation in certain regions. The regional differences observed may be influenced by various factors such as differences in agricultural practices, economic conditions, access to social support systems, or cultural factors.

Overall, the results indicates the role of various demographic and socioeconomic factors on food security. Food insecurity is typically understood to result from the macro level factors such as inadequate infrastructure, political instability, corruption, and conflicts that contribute by shaping the factors that affect individuals’ access to food at the micro or individual levels [35]. Unfortunately, political unrest and conflict are common realities in Cameroon which can significantly disrupt the food production and distribution systems and lead to shortages and higher food prices that can hurt the low-income consumers. Limited access to employment opportunities or low wages exacerbate the situation, making it difficult for individuals and families to break free from the cycle of poverty. The current analysis indicates that food insecurity is a significant issue in Cameroon, particularly among certain sociodemographic groups e.g. male sex, urban residents, unemployed individuals, lower educational and income groups, and no land owners. The situation therefore warrants urgent policy attention and implement targeted interventions that consider the specific needs and challenges faced by these groups, such as improving access to education, creating employment opportunities, and increasing access to nutritious food.

To address the persistent issue of food insecurity in Cameroon, several policy recommendations can be made from the current findings. First, implementing social assistance programs, such as targeted cash transfers and food assistance, can significantly benefit vulnerable groups, including older individuals, widowed persons, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Secondly, investing in socioeconomic empowerment through increased access to education, training, and skill development programs is essential for improving the employability of individuals from lower socioeconomic status and improving food security. Additionally, increasing agricultural productivity and rural development by improving infrastructure and supporting smallholder farmers can serve to promote food production, increase household incomes, and further strengthen food security. Furthermore, allocating resources to national-level research and development to explore the root causes of food insecurity will help designing evidence-based intervention programs that address the specific regional challenges faced by different communities.

This study is the first nationally representative study on food security in Cameroon and its main strengths include the use of the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), a robust tool for assessing the severity of individuals’ challenges in obtaining adequate food. The FIES enables accurate comparisons of food insecurity levels across different countries and regions, identification of trends over time, and evaluation of interventions or policies aimed at reducing food insecurity. The large nationally representative sample used in the study increases external validity, allowing for generalization of the findings to the larger population. However, the study’s cross-sectional design limits the ability to establish causal relationships between the factors examined and food insecurity, and the reliance on self-reported data may involve the risk of social-desirability bias. Furthermore, the study does not account for potential seasonal variations in food security or the effect of recent economic or sociopolitical changes, which could impact food security status. The data may not be representative of the areas where complete coverage was not possible due to security issues. Given the secondary nature of the data, we were unable to include all the potential confounding factors in the analysis and address the measurement errors. This might affect the generalizability of the findings to other populations or time periods. Despite these limitations, the study provides important insights into the factors associated with food insecurity and highlights the need for interventions that address the root causes of food insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and limited access to education and job opportunities.