Masamha, BGwanzura, OMutanga, Shingirirai S2026-03-202026-03-202026-032048-7010https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-025-00583-8http://hdl.handle.net/10204/14772Measuring the non-observable nature of food security has remained complex mainly because of the construct’s complexity and its continuously evolving nature. The main challenges in measuring food security involve determining what is to be measured and how it is measured. In South Africa, various approaches and indicators have led to divergent food security measurement outcomes, leading to inaccurate assessment, monitoring, and targeting of context-specific food security interventions. This study analyses food access, availability, and stability measurement metrics and proposes a clear food security measurement approach for South Africa. Comprehensive reviews of food security indices with a national scope and subsequent meta-analysis to determine these indicators’ effect size, publication bias, and heterogeneity have not been adequately explored.FulltextenFood securityFood security measurementFood accessArticleN/A