Submission ID 118517
| Issue/Objective | Co-existing obesity and food insecurity present a complex challenge that necessitates a system-based approach to address the issue. ROSCAs are commonly found across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and are called Stokvels in South Africa, with over 800,000 ROSCAs. Despite the significant capital and social leverage that Stokvels offer, they face substantial challenges, including limited access to affordable healthy food options, inadequate transportation, and the prevalence of food deserts. These barriers exacerbate food insecurity and contribute to obesity. This study explored the impact of membership in Stokvels on food insecurity, obesity, and health inequality, focusing on how these associations differ by gender and urban-rural residence. |
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| Methodology/Approach | This study utilized wave 5 of the National Income Dynamic Study (NIDS) data from South Africa, conducted in 2017. The empirical investigation employed a propensity score matching (PSM) model. The PSM approach allows for the creation of matched pairs of individuals, one who is a member of a stokvel and one who is not, based on similar baseline characteristics. Stokvel membership is the exposure variable. After matching, the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) was estimated by comparing differences in food security status, BMI, and outcome disparities. Additional stratifications were conducted based on gender and urban-rural location. |
| Results | Of the 23839 individuals in the 2017 data, 11.3% (2684) are stokvel members, of which 79% are females. The average age of stokvel members is 43 years, and most are single (42%). Widowed individuals ranked third among female stokvel members, while this demographic was the least represented among male members. Among stokvel members, 44% are either obese or overweight (OVOB). The treatment effect analysis shows that the BMI of stokvel members is, on average, 1.13 points higher than that of non-members. Conversely, stokvel members spend an average of 101.56 rands less on food than non-members. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Stokvels are a community-driven financing model, rooted in trust, solidarity, and informal governance. The results show that local financial systems may influence health and food security outcomes. There are significant disparities in obesity and food insecurity between the two groups. While stokvels may enhance food security through bulk purchasing, they often fail to address dietary quality. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Olufunke Alaba University of Cape Town Vicki Lambert University of Cape Town Zulfah Albertyn-Blanchard University of Cape Town |
