Has food security in the EU countries worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic? Analysis of physical and economic access to food
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Pawlak K
PROVIDER: S-EPMC11023501 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:The stability of food supply chains is crucial to the food security of people around the world. Since the beginning of 2020, this stability has been undergoing one of the most vigorous pressure tests ever due to the COVID-19 outbreak. From a mere health issue, the pandemic has turned into an economic threat to food security globally in the forms of lockdowns, economic decline, food trade restrictions, and rising food inflation. It is safe to assume that the novel health crisis has badly struck the least developed and developing economies, where people are particularly vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition. However, due to the recency of the COVID-19 problem, the impacts of macroeconomic fluctuations on food insecurity have remained scantily explored. In this study, the authors attempted to bridge this gap by revealing interactions between the food security status of people and the dynamics of COVID-19 cases, food trade, food inflation, and currency volatilities. The study was performed in the cases of 45 developing economies distributed to three groups by the level of income. The consecutive application of the autoregressive distributed lag method, Yamamoto's causality test, and variance decomposition analysis allowed the authors to find the food insecurity effects of COVID-19 to be more perceptible in upper-middle-income economies than in the least developed countries. In the latter, food security risks attributed to the emergence of the health crisis were mainly related to economic access to adequate food supply (food inflation), whereas in higher-income developing economies, availability-sided food security risks (food trade restrictions and currency depreciation) were more prevalent. The approach presented in this paper contributes to the establishment of a methodology framework that may equip decision-makers with up-to-date estimations of health crisis effects on economic parameters of food availability and access to staples in food-insecure communities.
| S-EPMC7459461 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted food systems and economies across the United States. Public health measures, including stay-at-home orders, led to employment disruptions and food system shocks that increased barriers to food access.ObjectivesWe aimed to examine food insecurity and food access challenges in New Mexico (NM) during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional study using a validated survey was conducted in NM in May and June 2020. Adults 18 y and older were recruited through convenience sampling via email, websites, and targeted social media ads from major universities, nongovernmental organizations, state agencies, and media outlets. Survey questions assessed food insecurity and food-related challenges and worry. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression examined relations between food insecurity and demographic characteristics. z Tests were used to compare the proportions of individuals who responded affirmatively to food challenge and worry questions between food-secure and food-insecure respondents.ResultsA total of 1487 residents participated in the study. Thirty percent of respondents reported experiencing food insecurity and 16% experienced very low food security since the pandemic started. Food insecurity was associated with each of 7 characteristics examined in bivariate logistic regression analyses. Multivariate logistic regression results showed that Hispanic (adjusted OR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.44) and female (adjusted OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.90) respondents were more likely to experience food insecurity than non-Hispanic white and male respondents. Larger household sizes were associated with higher odds of food insecurity except for those in the lowest and highest income categories. z Tests showed that a higher proportion of food-insecure respondents experienced food-related challenges and worry than food-secure respondents.ConclusionsDisparities in food insecurity persisted during the COVID-19 pandemic and food-insecure individuals were more likely to report experiencing food-related challenges and worry. Researchers and policy makers in NM may consider continuing efforts to mitigate food access issues as the pandemic continues.
| S-EPMC8758401 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic led to surging concerns about food insecurity status throughout the world. In response to global and national concerns on food and nutrition security, this study aimed to examine the prevalence and determining factors of household food insecurity and dietary diversity among people from selected rural municipalities of Lalitpur district, Nepal.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 432 households. Pretested structured questionnaires were used to collect socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, household income; influence of COVID-19 on their income and livelihood, household's access to food and dietary diversity. Food insecurity was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). A multivariable analysis was done using binary logistic regression model following a bivariate analysis to assess the association between the dependent and independent variables.ResultsMore than one-third (36%) of the households reported some form of food insecurity. The overall mean score for Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) was 6.0 (±1.1). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that participants aged 41-64 years (aOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.21-0.59), those over 64 years (aOR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.07-0.66), as well as those in service occupation (aOR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.06-0.77) were associated with lower odds of HFIAS. Conversely, Participants belonging to a disadvantaged ethnic group (aOR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.23-6.07), having no education (aOR = 3.70, 95% CI: 1.16-11.71) or primary education (aOR = 3.67, 95% CI: 1.23-9.89), and those suffering from chronic illness (aOR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.53-6.35) were associated with higher odds of HFIAS. As for HDDS, participants aged 41-64 years (aOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.28-0.83) were associated with lower odds of HDDS, while participants having no education (aOR = 10.05, 95% CI: 4.05-24.01) were associated with significantly higher odds of HDDS.ConclusionOwing to the pandemic, our study showed a substantial prevalence of food insecurity among diverse community residing in rural outskirts of Kathmandu Valley, particularly among disadvantaged ethnic group and people with lower level of education. Interventions targeting these particular groups may help in improving HFIAS and HDDS among them during emergencies.
| S-EPMC10619797 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesWe examined whether older adults with physical disability were vulnerable to three types of perceived economic insecurity (difficulty paying regular bills, difficulty paying medical bills, and income loss) and two types of perceived food insecurity (economic obstacles and logistical obstacles) during the early months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We evaluated the extent to which associations are moderated by three personal characteristics (age, sex, and race/ethnicity) and two pandemic-specific risk factors (job loss and COVID-19 diagnosis).MethodData are from a random 25% subsample of Health and Retirement Study participants who completed a COVID-19 module introduced in June 2020. We estimated logistic regression models to predict each of five self-reported hardships during the pandemic.ResultsBivariate analyses showed that persons with three or more functional limitations were more likely to report both types of food insecurity, and difficulty paying regular and medical bills since the start of the pandemic, relative to those with no limitations. After controlling for health conditions, effects were no longer significant for paying medical bills, and attenuated yet remained statistically significant for other outcomes. Patterns did not differ significantly on the basis of the moderator variables. Job loss substantially increased the risk of economic insecurity but not food insecurity.DiscussionOlder adults with more functional limitations were vulnerable to economic and food insecurity during the pandemic, potentially exacerbating the physical and emotional health threats imposed by COVID-19. Supports for older adults with disability should focus on logistical as well as financial support for ensuring their food security.
| S-EPMC8522401 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, rural-dwelling people in high-income countries were known to have greater challenges accessing healthy food than their urban counterparts. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted food supplies across the world, and public health restrictions have changed the way people shop for food, potentially exacerbating food insecurity. This systematic literature review aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aspects of food insecurity in rural populations residing in high-income countries. Five electronic databases were searched, identifying 22 articles that assessed food insecurity prevalence or data on food availability, access, utilization and the stability of the food supply in rural populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten studies examined the prevalence of food insecurity in rural populations, with the reported prevalence ranging from 15% to 95%. Where rural/urban comparisons were presented, most studies (n = 5; 71%) reported that food insecurity was significantly higher in rural regions. Five studies examined the availability of food and eight studies examined access to food, identifying that rural populations often had lower food availability and access to food during the pandemic. In contrast, two studies identified positive effects such as more gardening and increased online access to food. Rural populations experienced multiple changes to food utilization, such as reduced diet quality and food safety observed in eight studies, but this was not shown to be different from urban populations. Additionally, the food supply in rural regions was perceived to be affected in two studies. The results of this review may be used to inform region-specific mitigation strategies to decrease the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic and future global events on food security. However, the lack of consistency in study outcomes in research on rural populations limits the identification of priority areas for intervention at a global-scale.
| S-EPMC8954908 | biostudies-literature
Project description:International humanitarian organizations have expressed substantial concern about the potential for increases in food insecurity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. We use a unique panel survey of a representative sample households in Addis Ababa to study both food security and food consumption during the pandemic. In contrast to some other countries in the region, Ethiopia never went into a full lockdown severely restricting movement. Despite subjective income measures suggesting a large proportion of households have been exposed to job loss or reduced incomes, we find that relative to a survey conducted in August and September of 2019, food consumption and household dietary diversity are largely unchanged or slightly increased by August 2020. We find some changes in the composition of food consumption, but they are not related to shocks found in previous phone surveys conducted with the same households. The results therefore suggest the types of subjective questions about income typically being asked in COVID-19 phone surveys may not appropriately reflect the magnitude of such shocks. They also imply, at least indirectly, that in the aggregate food value chains have been resilient to the shock associated with the pandemic.
| S-EPMC8013419 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Compared with other OECD countries, Bermuda ranks third globally in terms of income inequality globally. During the COVID-19 pandemic, anecdotal evidence suggested, significant fluctuations in the food demand and supply. We aimed to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food insecurity, with a focus on the availability and affordability of various foods in Bermuda. We utilized a cross-sectional study design to investigate potential drivers of food insecurity within the local population. To gauge the level of household food insecurity we relied on the Bermuda Omnibus survey (N = 400) undertaken by Total Research Associates Ltd via telephone. To assess changes in food availability and affordability we conducted semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders who played pivotal roles in shaping food accessibility availability and affordability of food in Bermuda. These interviews were systematically analysed using the framework method. We performed analyses of food retail and import data to evaluate fluctuations in food prices and their impact on food availability and affordability. We found statistically significant associations between changes in food consumption, household income, and government aid. Food aid beneficiaries ate fewer fruits and vegetables by 50% [95% CI:17%-83%] and less fresh meat and fish by 39% [95 CI:3%-75%] compared with residents who did not receive any aid during the COVID-19 period from March 2020 to March 2021. Although we did not identify statistically significant food price increases feeding programmes played a pivotal role in preventing food insecurity during the pandemic in Bermuda. However, a lack of monitoring regarding the nutritional quality within the programmes, allowed a wide availability of foods high in sugar, salts, and fats, disproportionately affected low-income populations. In conclusion, food availability in Bermuda remained largely unaffected during the pandemic. Nevertheless, the surge in demand for feeding programs underscores underlying food security challenges in Bermuda and warrants further attention.
| S-EPMC10861061 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted an economic hardship unprecedented for the modern age. In this paper, we show that the health crisis and ensuing lockdown, came with an unseen shift in households’ economic sentiment. First, using a European dataset of country-level and regional internet searches, we document a substantial increase in people's business cycle related searches in the months following the coronavirus outbreak. People's unemployment concerns jumped to levels well-above those during the Great Recession. Second, we observe a significant, coinciding slowdown in labour markets and consumption. Third, our analysis shows that the ensuing shift in sentiment was significantly more outspoken in those EU countries hit hardest in economic terms. Finally, we show that unprecedented fiscal policy actions, such as the short-time work schemes implemented or reformed at the onset of the COVID-crisis, however, have not eased economic sentiment.
| S-EPMC9755422 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background/objectivesThe economic recession caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic disproportionately affected poor and vulnerable populations globally. Better uunderstanding of vulnerability to shocks in food supply and demand in the Asia Pacific region is needed.Subjects/methodsUsing secondary data from rapid assessment surveys during the pandemic response (n = 10,420 in mid-2020; n = 6,004 in mid-2021) in India, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, this study examined the risk factors for reported income reduction or job loss in mid-2021 and the temporal trend in food security status (household food availability, and market availability and affordability of essential items) from mid-2020 to mid-2021.ResultsThe proportion of job loss/reduced household income was highest in India (60.4%) and lowest in Indonesia (39.0%). Urban residence (odds ratio [OR] range, 2.20-4.11; countries with significant results only), female respondents (OR range, 1.40-1.69), engagement in daily waged labor (OR range, 1.54-1.68), and running a small trade/business (OR range, 1.66-2.71) were significantly associated with income reduction or job loss in three out of 4 countries (all P < 0.05). Food stock availability increased significantly in 2021 compared to 2020 in all four countries (OR range, 1.91-4.45) (all P < 0.05). Availability of all essential items at markets increased in India (OR range, 1.45-3.99) but decreased for basic foods, hygiene items, and medicine in Vietnam (OR range, 0.81-0.86) in 2021 compared to 2020 (all P < 0.05). In 2021, the affordability of all essential items significantly improved in India (OR range, 1.18-3.49) while the affordability of rent, health care, and loans deteriorated in Indonesia (OR range, 0.23-0.71) when compared to 2020 (all P < 0.05).ConclusionsLong-term social protection programs need to be carefully designed and implemented to address food insecurity among vulnerable groups, considering each country's market conditions, consumer food purchasing behaviors, and financial support capacity.
| S-EPMC10861339 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The COVID-19 pandemic has considerably increased food insecurity. To identify where intervention and policy solutions are most needed, we explored barriers to obtaining food and predictors of experiencing food insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Between May and July 2020, we conducted cross-sectional online surveys with two convenience samples of U.S. adults (Study 1: n = 2,219, Study 2: n = 810). Roughly one-third of participants reported experiencing food insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic (Study 1: 32%, Study 2: 35%). Between one-third and half reported using the charitable food system (Study 1: 36%, Study 2: 46%). The majority of participants experienced barriers to getting food (Study 1: 84%, Study 2: 88%), of which the most commonly reported were not having enough money to buy food (Study 1: 48%; Study 2: 53%) and worrying about getting COVID-19 at the store (Study 1: 50%; Study 2: 43%). Higher education was associated with greater risk of food insecurity in both studies (all p < 0.05). Receipt of aid from SNAP buffered against the association between financial struggles and food insecurity in Study 1 (p = 0.03); there was also some evidence of this effect in Study 2 (p = 0.05). Our findings suggest that food insecurity might be reduced by mitigating financial struggles (e.g., by increasing access to SNAP) and by addressing barriers to obtaining food (e.g., by expanding accessibility of food delivery programs).
| S-EPMC8348548 | biostudies-literature