Household food insecurity before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile

• Published in: Public health (London) Vol. 198; pp. 332 - 339
• Main Authors: Giacoman, C., Herrera, M.S., Ayala Arancibia, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2021; Elsevier Science Ltd; The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Aged; Child; Children; Chile; Chile - epidemiology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Family Characteristics; Food Insecurity; Food security; Food Supply; Households; Humans; Indicators; Insecurity; Longitudinal Studies; Older children; Older people; Original Research; Pandemics; Population studies; Regression analysis; Regression models; SARS-CoV-2; Statistical analysis; Vulnerability; Chile; COVID-19; Chile; Food insecurity
• ISSN: 0033-3506; 1476-5616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.07.032

To compare food insecurity (FI) in Chile before and during the COVID-19 pandemic according to different household types and vulnerability indicators. Longitudinal study based on two population-based surveys in Chile (CASEN 2017 and COVID 2020). Descriptive analysis and multinomial regression models for FI through the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). FI levels increased significantly (P < 0.001) between 2017 (30%) and 2020 (49%). There was increased FI in all households, but especially in those with economically dependent persons (i.e. children, adolescents and older adults). Household vulnerability indicators showed a statistically significant relationship with FI both before and during the pandemic. The pandemic has resulted in new population groups experiencing FI. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in FI, which has also been seen in new population groups.