Food insecurity among households with children during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from a study among social media users across the United States

Parekh, Niyati; Ali, Shahmir H.; O’Connor, Joyce; Tozan, Yeşim; Jones, Abbey M.; Capasso, Ariadna; Foreman, Joshua; DiClemente, Ralph J.

doi:10.1186/s12937-021-00732-2

Cited by 83 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Although there are many studies that have utilized the USDA food security module in an online format (e.g. 61–63 ), this potentially introduced a barrier for some (though not all) elderly or low-income potential respondents ( 64 , 65 ), as well as those living in rural areas without reliable Internet ( 66 ). Additionally, there have been some studies that show differences in respondent affirmations of food insecurity questions, depending on whether questionnaires are administered online or in person.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multi-Site Analysis of the Prevalence of Food Insecurity in the United States, before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Niles¹,

Beavers²,

Clay³

et al. 2021

Current Developments in Nutrition

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Background The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected food systems including food security. Understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted food security is important to provide support, and identify long-term impacts and needs. Objective The National Food Access and COVID research Team (NFACT) was formed to assess food security over different U.S. study sites throughout the pandemic, using common instruments and measurements. This study present results from 18 study sites across 15 states and nationally over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A validated survey instrument was developed and implemented in whole or part through an online survey of adults across the sites throughout the first year of the pandemic, representing 22 separate surveys. Sampling methods for each study site were convenience, representative, or high-risk targeted. Food security was measured using the USDA six-item module. Food security prevalence was analyzed using analysis of variance by sampling method to statistically significant differences. Results Respondents (n = 27,168) indicate higher prevalence of food insecurity (low or very low food security) since the COVID-19 pandemic, as compared to before the pandemic. In nearly all study sites, there is higher prevalence of food insecurity among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), households with children, and those with job disruptions. The findings demonstrate lingering food insecurity, with high prevalence over time in sites with repeat cross-sectional surveys. There are no statistically significant differences between convenience and representative surveys, but statistically higher prevalence of food insecurity among high-risk compared to convenience surveys. Conclusions This comprehensive study demonstrates higher prevalence of food insecurity in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. These impacts were prevalent for certain demographic groups, and most pronounced for surveys targeting high-risk populations. Results especially document the continued high levels of food insecurity, as well as the variability in estimates due to survey implementation method. Summary Multi-site assessment demonstrates widespread food insecurity during COVID-19, especially on households with children, job loss, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color across multiple survey methods.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multi-Site Analysis of the Prevalence of Food Insecurity in the United States, before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Niles¹,

Beavers²,

Clay³

et al. 2021

Current Developments in Nutrition

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted these households as they faced challenges related to the closure of schools and childcare centers, in addition to widespread job losses and reductions to job-related income [ 2 , 3 ]. As a result, the prevalence of food insecurity in households with children was higher during the pandemic compared to all households [ 4 ]. Additionally, food insecurity in both households with adults and children has been found to be higher in communities of color due to long-standing structural and systemic inequities [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a result, the prevalence of food insecurity in households with children was higher during the pandemic compared to all households [ 4 ]. Additionally, food insecurity in both households with adults and children has been found to be higher in communities of color due to long-standing structural and systemic inequities [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns of Food Assistance Program Participation, Food Insecurity, and Pantry Use among U.S. Households with Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2022

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This study aims to describe differences in participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women and Children (WIC), and school meal programs by household characteristics prior to and during the pandemic, and to examine the association of program participation with food security status and food pantry use. We analyze secondary data (n = 470) from an online survey collected in July/August 2020 using weighted multiple logistic regression models. Participation in SNAP declined among households with children in the first four months of the pandemic, while participation in WIC increased slightly, and participation in school meals remained unchanged. There were significant differences in SNAP, WIC, and school meal programs use by race/ethnicity, income, and urbanicity before and during the pandemic. Food insecurity prevalence was higher among SNAP participants at both periods but the gap between participants and non-participants was smaller during the pandemic. Pantry use and food insecurity rates were consistently higher among federal nutrition assistance program participants, possibly suggesting unmet food needs. These results highlight the need for increased program benefits and improved access to food, particularly during periods of hardship.

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“…In this research, 41 obese children and adolescents were followed during a three-week shutdown in Verona, with no change in vegetable consumption, and an increase in the consumption of fruit, chips, red meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages; time dedicated to sports activities was reduced by 2.5 h/week and, conversely, time spent sleeping increased by 0.65 h/day; however, the most significant data concerns time dedicated to screen time, which increased by 4.85 h/day [103]. Some studies have observed changes in anthropometric and metabolic parameters that occurred in obese children compared with pre-COVID-19 pandemic [104][105][106][107]. A study conducted on a group of Korean children showed that, within 6 months of social withdrawal and school closure, harmful effects on children's health were already occurring, in particular weight gain, even in normal-weight children, and vitamin D decrease.…”

Section: Pediatric Obesity During the Covid-19 Eramentioning

confidence: 99%

Telehealth: A Useful Tool for the Management of Nutrition and Exercise Programs in Pediatric Obesity in the COVID-19 Era

et al. 2021

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The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the implementation of policies that mandate various restrictions on daily life, including social distancing, the closure of public services and schools, and movement limitations. Even though these restrictive measures decreased the COVID-19 spread, they may have detrimental effects on various lifestyle components such as physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and dietary habits, influencing the maintenance of weight and contributing to obesity among children and adolescents. The coexistence of childhood obesity and COVID-19 and changes in the bioecological environment have put children and adolescents at increased risk for developing obesity and exacerbating the severity of this disorder. The use of telehealth technology is a modern approach useful for the delivery of health care services by health care professionals, where distance is a critical factor. Telehealth is effective in promoting increased self-monitoring and behavioral change, and provides the opportunity to perform online nutritional support and exercise training programs to promote a healthy lifestyle and reduce sedentary behaviors in children and adolescents. Telehealth, including tele-exercise and tele-nutrition, has the potential to address many of the key challenges in providing health services, including in patients with obesity during the COVID-19 outbreak. This narrative review aims to describe the role of telehealth as an opportunity in the management of pediatric obesity in the COVID-19 era, and to deliver nutrition and exercise programs for the maintenance of health.

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Food insecurity among households with children during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from a study among social media users across the United States

Cited by 83 publications

References 32 publications

A Multi-Site Analysis of the Prevalence of Food Insecurity in the United States, before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

A Multi-Site Analysis of the Prevalence of Food Insecurity in the United States, before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Patterns of Food Assistance Program Participation, Food Insecurity, and Pantry Use among U.S. Households with Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Telehealth: A Useful Tool for the Management of Nutrition and Exercise Programs in Pediatric Obesity in the COVID-19 Era

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