Effect of COVID-19 Contingency on Food Security and Healthy Habits in Baja California, Mexico

ABSTRACT

Background: The uncertainty and economic instability caused by COVID-19 has led to research the risks on food systems. In the publication Channels of transmission to food and agriculture by The Food and Agriculture Organization, México is considered one of the countries with medium/high risk regarding the demand for food, due to a probable reduction in the purchasing power to access them. Methods: Data was collected by a web-based survey General information, healthy habits with self-reported anthropometry and the Food Insecurity Experience Scale, the instrument describes difficulties to access food due to resource constraints during the last 30 days. Information was collected during the months of September and December 2021. Results: A total of 479 subjects (330 women) ages 18 to 62 years participated. 29.9% of the participants indicated that the provider's income decreased a little and 16.5% mentioned having decreased a lot or having lost their income. 61.4% indicated that they had gained weight, 54.9% increased their consumption of junk food and 68.9% mentioned that during the contingency they ate more due to anxiety, depression or boredom. Regarding food security, 21.3% mentioned been concerned about not having enough food, 16.5% not having eaten healthy and nutritious food and 16.5% having eaten little variety of food due to lack of money or other resources in the last 30 days. Conclusions: The social isolation and economic imbalance from COVID-19 pandemic has impacted not only in eating habits but quality and quantity of the food consumed.