The indicator is calculated from data gained by people's direct responses to eight questions regarding their access to food of adequate quality and quantity. It is used in the FIES module on food insecurity (FAO, 2017c, 2017p) for the calculation of the food insecurity prevalence (SDG Indicator 2.1.2). The answers determine one of three possible conclusions: mild food insecurity, moderate food insecurity, and severe food insecurity.