Predictors of households at risk for food insecurity in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To examine associations between sociodemographic and mental health characteristics with household risk for food insecurity during the COVID-19 outbreak. Design: Cross-sectional online survey analyzed using univariable tests and a multivariable logistic regression model. Setting: The United States during the week of March 30, 2020. Participants: Convenience sample of 1,965 American adults using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) platform. Participants reporting household food insecurity prior to the pandemic were excluded from analyses. Results: 1,250 participants reported household food security before the COVID-19 outbreak. Among this subset, 41% were identified as at risk for food insecurity after COVID-19, 55% were women and 73% were white. On multivariable analysis, race, income, relationship status, living situation, anxiety, and depression were significantly associated with incident risk for food insecurity. Black, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino respondents, respondents with annual income less than $100,000, and those living with children or others were significantly more likely to be newly at risk for food insecurity. Individuals at risk for food insecurity were 2.60 (95% CI 1.91-3.55) times more likely to screen positively for anxiety and 1.71 (95% CI 1.21-2.42) times more likely to screen positively for depression. Conclusions: Increased risk for food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic is common, and certain populations are particularly vulnerable. There are strong associations between being at risk for food insecurity and anxiety/depression. Interventions to increase access to healthful foods, especially among minority and low-income individuals, and ease the socioemotional effects of the outbreak are crucial to relieving the economic stress of this pandemic.

Food Access Worries, Food Assistance Use, Purchasing Behavior, and Food Insecurity Among New Yorkers During COVID-19

“…Research on food insecurity during COVID-19 at the national and local levels and among high-risk populations, such as lowincome, low education, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), are emerging throughout the United States. Studies have commonly reported or projected increased rates of food insecurity during COVID-19 (4)(5)(6)(7)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47). National studies examining food insecurity, challenges, and worry have reported increased rates of food insecurity among low-income households (43,47), households with low education (6,43), BIPOC households (6,43,44,47), households with children (6,44,47), those experiencing employment disruption (6,43,44), and SNAP participants (6).…”

“…Studies have commonly reported or projected increased rates of food insecurity during COVID-19 (4)(5)(6)(7)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47). National studies examining food insecurity, challenges, and worry have reported increased rates of food insecurity among low-income households (43,47), households with low education (6,43), BIPOC households (6,43,44,47), households with children (6,44,47), those experiencing employment disruption (6,43,44), and SNAP participants (6). A nationally representative study on low-income adults found that they were less able to comply with recommendations to stock up on 2 weeks of groceries and more likely to need extra money for food and bills (6).…”

COVID-19′s Impact on American Women’s Food Insecurity Foreshadows Vulnerabilities to Climate Change

“…During the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity in the U.S. has been on the rise along with unemployment rates, with women, veterans, and Black, Hispanic, and Native Americans seeing the greatest increases in food insecurity [ 24 , 25 ]. Record numbers of people are seeking food assistance at food banks, and Feeding America estimates that the largest food bank network in the country will see a USD 1.4 billion shortfall [ 26 ].…”

Mutual aid organisations and their role in reducing food insecurity in Chicago’s urban communities during COVID-19

“…(1,2) In particular, Black, Hispanic, and Asian adults are at the highest risk of being food insecure during the pandemic. (3,4) During the peak of the pandemic, Black food-insecure households were more likely to report they could not afford to purchase more food during the pandemic and Hispanic food-insecure households were more likely to report they are afraid or do not want to go out to purchase food during the pandemic. (5) The traditional food system, which includes grocery stores and convenience stores, has failed individuals because food hoarding and disruptions to the food supply left grocery store shelves bare, (6) while increased food prices due to price volatility prevented individuals from purchasing the food that they needed.…”