A higher level of violence in the community was associated with an increased risk of all nutrients inadequacy except fat, calorie and calcium. This finding might be due to the agricultural nature and lifestyles of people in this area. It is quite common for people living in the study area to set aside land surrounding their house for gardening and farming. Locally grown fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients and provide the residents with adequate sources of calcium. Fresh fruits, such as banana, durian, jackfruit, rambutan and coconuts, which are eaten throughout southern Thailand, contain high amounts of fat and calories. The effect of long-term violence on nutrition intake may result in increased stress [21,22], which may subsequently decrease appetite [23,24]. In addition, foods may also be less accessible in
areas of violence due to safety problems and difficulties involved with food transportation. These and other consequences of violence eventually reduce nutrient uptake for the people living in the area leading to nutrient inadequacy.