Food insecurity in Chilean university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Food and nutrition were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing levels of food insecurity. University students were a risk group for food insecurity due to the closure of educational establishments where they received their main meals. Aim: To assess food insecurity among Chilean public university students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: The study had a non-probabilistic before-and-after design. Undergraduate students from all colleges at the university were invited to answer an online survey about food insecurity, devised based on FAO Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Results: Nine hundred and one students answered the survey. The prevalence of moderate/severe food insecurity increased from 9.5% to 14.3% before and during the pandemic, respectively. Forty two percent (n = 196) of student households became food insecure during the sanitary crisis. Students commented on the positive and negative aspects of the pandemic in their eating behaviors. Conclusions: Undergraduate students are vulnerable to food insecurity. Mitigation actions should be carried out when educational establishments are closed.

Antecedentes: La alimentación y la nutrición se están viendo afectadas por la pandemia por COVID-19, aumentando los niveles de inseguridad alimentaria. Un grupo susceptible a la inseguridad alimentaria son los estudiantes universitarios debido al cierre de los establecimientos educativos donde ellos pueden recibir sus alimentos principales. Objetivo: Evaluar la inseguridad alimentaria de los estudiantes de una universidad pública de Chile, antes y durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Material y Métodos: El estudio tuvo un diseño de antes y después, no probabilístico. Se invitó a participar a estudiantes universitarios de todas las facultades de la universidad a contestar un cuestionario en línea, desarrollado basado en la escala de experiencia de inseguridad alimentaria de la FAO. Resultados: Novecientos y un estudiantes respondieron la encuesta. En estos estudiantes, la prevalencia de inseguridad alimentaria moderada/grave aumentó de 9,5% a 14,3% antes y durante la pandemia, respectivamente. El 42,3% (n = 196) de los hogares estudiantiles pasó a tener inseguridad alimentaria durante la crisis sanitaria. Los estudiantes comentaron aspectos positivos y negativos de la pandemia en sus conductas alimentarias. Conclusiones: Estos resultados reflejan que estos estudiantes son vulnerables para inseguridad y amerita acciones de mitigación cuando los establecimientos educativos están cerrados.

Food insecurity in Chilean university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Food and nutrition were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing levels of food insecurity. University students were a risk group for food insecurity due to the closure of educational establishments where they received their main meals. AIM: To assess food insecurity among Chilean public university students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study had a non-probabilistic before-and-after design. Undergraduate students from all colleges at the university were invited to answer an online survey about food insecurity, devised based on FAO Food Insecurity Experience Scale. RESULTS: Nine hundred and one students answered the survey. The prevalence of moderate/severe food insecurity increased from 9.5% to 14.3% before and during the pandemic, respectively. Forty two percent (n = 196) of student households became food insecure during the sanitary crisis. Students commented on the positive and negative aspects of the pandemic in their eating behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Undergraduate students are vulnerable to food insecurity. Mitigation actions should be carried out when educational establishments are closed.