Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Insecurity in Puerto Rico

ABSTRACT

This survey (n = 1,356) reports food insecurity (FI) in Puerto Rico (PR) at 38% before, and 40% since, the COVID-19 pandemic. Odds for FI increased for households with annual income <=$15k vs. >=$60k (OR 3.52;95% CI 1.20, 10.36);experiencing an income reduction (OR 2.22 (1.55, 3.18));participating in the United States Department of Agriculture Nutrition Assistance Program (OR 1.75 (1.14, 2.70));higher food acquisition anxiety (OR 1.45 (1.29, 1.64));increased home availability of fruit-flavored drinks (OR 1.52 (1.04, 2.22)), whereas increased fruit availability was protective (OR 0.63 (0.43, 0.93)). Results heighten the need to examine FI strategies in PR.Copyright © 2021 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.