Prevalence and Severity of Food Insecurity Before and During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Among Adults and Youth in Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

BACKGROUND: Disruptions from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic potentially exacerbated food insecurity among adults and youth. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to examine changes in the prevalence and severity of food insecurity among adults and youth from before (2019) to during (2020) the pandemic in multiple countries. METHODS: Repeated cross-sectional data were collected among adults aged 18-100 y (n = 63,278) in 5 countries in November to December in 2018-2020 and among youth aged 10-17 y (n = 23,107) in 6 countries in November to December in 2019 and 2020. Food insecurity in the past year was captured using the Household Food Security Survey Module and the Child Food Insecurity Experiences Scale. Changes in the prevalence and severity of food insecurity were examined using logistic and generalized logit regression models, respectively. Models included age, gender, racial-ethnic identity, and other sociodemographic characteristics associated with food insecurity to adjust for possible sample differences across waves. Models were weighted to reflect each country's population. RESULTS: Adults [adjusted OR (AOR): 1.15; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.31] and youth (AOR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.71) in Mexico were more likely to live in food-insecure households in 2020 compared to 2019. Adults in Australia (AOR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.92) and Canada (AOR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.77, 0.99) were less likely to live in food-insecure households in 2020. Trends in severity aligned with changes in prevalence, with some exceptions. Youth in Australia (AOR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.65, 3.02) and the United States (AOR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.86) were more likely to have many compared with no experiences of food insecurity in 2020 compared to 2019. There was no evidence of change among adults and youth in the remaining countries. CONCLUSIONS: Except for Mexico, few changes in food insecurity among adults and youth were observed from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic. Action is needed to support households at risk of food insecurity.

Assessment of Household Food Insecurity During a Medical Mission to Chincha, Peru.

Introduction Food insecurity directly influences health outcomes and is an important consideration for medical missions seeking to address chronic disease, particularly those serving disaster-prone communities. The region of Peru in which we held an inaugural mission is vulnerable to developing food insecurity following natural disasters. We, therefore, sought to evaluate food insecurity to understand the community's needs and inform future public health efforts. Methods In this cross-sectional pilot study, a convenience sample representing the households of patients attending a student-run health fair at the community medical center in Chincha, Peru was assessed for food insecurity. An adult female (n = 30) of each randomly selected family attending the fair was asked to complete the Household Food Security Survey (HFSS) developed by the US Department of Agriculture. The survey items were aggregated into a single, continuous food security scale reflecting the severity of hunger within a household. Results Two-thirds of respondents (n = 20) acknowledged anxiety about having enough food at home over the past 12 months, making it the most common concern. Nearly three in five respondents were concerned about their ability to provide a balanced diet. We found that 16.7% of all households were food insecure with severe hunger, 26.7% were food insecure with moderate hunger, 30% were food insecure without hunger, and 26.7% were food secure. Conclusion Nearly three-quarters of families attending our clinic experience some degree of food insecurity. Families with children were disproportionately affected. The high levels of food insecurity many years after a natural disaster support the development of future social programs such as food pantries. We intend to continue our partnership in Chincha and perform the HFSS survey on a periodic basis to monitor hunger.

Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Associations between Household Food Security and Child Anthropometry at Ages 5 and 8 Years in Ethiopia, India, Peru, and Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Poor childhood nutritional status has lifetime effects and food insecurity is associated with dietary practices that can impair nutritional status. OBJECTIVES: We assessed concurrent and subsequent associations between food insecurity and height-for-age z scores (HAZs) and body mass index-for-age z scores (BMI-Zs); evaluated associations with transitory and chronic food insecurity; and tested whether dietary diversity mediates associations between food insecurity and nutritional status. METHODS: We used data from the Young Lives younger cohort composed of children in Ethiopia (n = 1757), India (n = 1825), Peru (n = 1844), and Vietnam (n = 1828) recruited in 2002 (round 1) at ∼1 y old, with subsequent data collection at 5 y in 2006 (round 2) and 8 y in 2009 (round 3). RESULTS: Children from food-insecure households had significantly lower HAZs in all countries at 5 y (Ethiopia, -0.33; India, -0.53; Peru, -0.31; and Vietnam, -0.68 HAZ; all P < 0.001), although results were attenuated after controlling for potential confounders (Ethiopia, -0.21; India, -0.32; Peru, -0.14; and Vietnam, -0.27 HAZ; P < 0.01). Age 5 y food insecurity predicted the age 8 y HAZ, but did not add predictive power beyond HAZ at age 5 y in Ethiopia, India, or Peru. Age 5 y food insecurity predicted the age 8 y BMI-Z even after controlling for the 5 y BMI-Z, although associations were not significant after the inclusion of additional confounding variables (Ethiopia, P = 0.12; India, P = 0.29; Peru, P = 0.16; and Vietnam, P = 0.51). Chronically food-insecure households had significantly lower HAZs than households that were consistently food-secure, although BMI-Zs did not differ by chronic food-insecurity status. Dietary diversity mediated 18.8-30.5% of the association between food security and anthropometry in Vietnam, but mediated to a lesser degree (8.4-19.3%) in other countries. CONCLUSIONS: In 4 countries, food insecurity at 5 y of age was associated with both HAZ and BMI-Z at age 8 y, although the association was attenuated after adjusting for other household factors and anthropometry at age 5 y, and remained significant only for the HAZ in Vietnam.

Seguridad alimentaria en familias vulnerables de Cajicá, Colombia, 2012 / Food security in vulnerable households of Cajicá, Colombia, 2012

Introducción. Según los datos de la Encuesta de la Situación Nutricional de Colombia (ENSIN, 2005 y 2010), la inseguridad alimentaria ha aumentado en el país, pasando de 40,8 % a 42,7 % y siendo más evidente en las zonas urbanas. Para el caso de Cundinamarca, en el 2010, aproximadamente, una de cada tres familias se encontraba en inseguridad alimentaria. El objetivo de este estudio fue hacer un diagnóstico de la seguridad alimentaria de las familias de los niños atendidos por la ONG “Niños sin hambre” del municipio de Cajicá, Cundinamarca. Metodología. En noviembre de 2011, un equipo multidisciplinario de profesionales del Grupo de Nutrición, Genética y Metabolismo de la Universidad El Bosque, llevó a cabo un estudio exploratorio del estado de seguridad alimentaria de las 19 familias de los 50 niños atendidos por la ONG, aplicando el instrumento “Escala de seguridad alimentaria en el hogar”, validado previamente en el país. Resultados. Se encontró que cuatro familias tenían seguridad alimentaria y 15 se encontraban con algún grado de inseguridad alimentaria. Las 15 familias que dependían de la agricultura son las mismas que tuvieron algún grado de inseguridad alimentaria. Conclusiones. La oportuna acción en el marco de las actividades de proyección social e investigación del Grupo de Nutrición, Genética y Metabolismo, permitió establecer el estado de inseguridad alimentaria y proponer acciones en el ámbito privado y público para aportar soluciones de emergencia a las familias identificadas.

Introduction: According to data from the Encuesta de la Situación Nutricional de Colombia (ENSIN, 2005 and 2010) food insecurity increased in the country from 40.8% to 42.7%, being more evident in urban areas. In the case of Cundinamarca, in 2010, approximately, 1 in 3 families were food insecure. The aim of this study was to conduct an assessment of food security in families of children served by the NGO “Niños sin hambre” of the municipality of Cajicá, Cundinamarca. Methodology: In November, 2011, an interdisciplinary team of professionals from the Grupo de Nutrición, Genética y Metabolismo of the Universidad El Bosque made a diagnosis of food safety for 19 families of the 50 children served by the NGO applying the instrument “Scale Household Food Security”. The instrument had been previously validated in the country. Results: It was found that 4 families had food security and that 15 families had some degree of food insecurity. Families who depended on agriculture (15 families) were the same that had some degree of food insecurity. Conclusions: Opportune action by the social outreach activities and research of the Grupo de Nutrición, Genética y Metabolismo identified the state of food insecurity and took action in the private and public sectors to provide emergency solutions for the families.

Estado nutricional y seguridad alimentaria del hogar en niños y jóvenes de zonas suburbanas de caracas / Nutritional status and Household food security in children and adolescents in suburban areas of baruta and el hatillo, caracas

Las condiciones de vida y salud tienen un efecto sobre el estado nutricional de niños y jóvenes que crecen y se desarrollan en ambientes desfavorables. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la asociación entre seguridad alimentaria en el hogar con estado nutricional. El estudio es de tipo transversal. La muestra estuvo constituida por 112 niños y jóvenes entre 3 y 16 años de edad de uno y otro sexo, perteneciente a comunidades suburbanas de los Municipios Baruta y el Hatillo, que forman parte de una submuestra del macro proyecto “Evaluación del Estado Nutricional y Seguridad Alimentaria en comunidades suburbana de los Municipios Baruta y el Hatillo” del Estado Miranda. Se utilizaron talla para la edad (TE) y peso para la edad (PE) e indicadores de composición corporal. La seguridad alimentaria en el hogar se midió con la escala de Lorenzana y Sanjur. Se calcularon valores Z para diagnóstico nutricional. Se aplicó una correlación de Sperman (p< 0,05) entre las categorías de los indicadores. El 70,53 % de los hogares presentaron algún grado de inseguridad alimentaria. Para el estado nutricional por el indicador TE 46.43% presentaron valores de déficit. Se encontraron sujetos con estado nutricional deficitarios en hogares seguros (26.92%) y con estado nutricional adecuado en hogares inseguros (70.17%). Este trabajo no demostró una asociación significativa (p >0.05) entre la inseguridad alimentaria en el hogar y estado nutricional(AU)

Living conditions and health have an effect on the nutritional status of children and adolescents´ growth and development in poor environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between household food security with nutrition. Indicators used were height for age (HA), weight for age (WA), and body composition. The study was cross-sectional. The sample size consisted of 112 children between 3 and 16 years old of both sexes, who belong to suburban communities of Baruta and Hatillo Municipality, as a part of a subsample of the macro project “Assessment of Nutritional Status and Food Security in suburban communities and municipalities Baruta Hatillo” in Miranda State. The household food security was measured with the scale Lorenzana and Sanjur. Z scores were calculated for nutritional diagnosis. We applied a Spearman correlation (p <0.05) between categories of indicators. The 70.53% of households had some degree of food insecurity. HA showed 46.43% of deficit. We found nutritional deficient status in households with plenty of food security (26.92%), and adequate nutritional status in food insecurity households (70.17%). This study does not provide statistical association between household food insecurity and nutritional status(AU)

Seguridad alimentaria: un método alterno frente a uno clásico / Household food security: comparing an alternative method to a classical one

Objetivos Evaluar durante 2007-2008 el desempeño la Escala de Percepción de Seguridad Alimentaria (EPSA) frente a la inseguridad alimentaria (IA) determinada con base en la energía usualmente consumida. Métodos Participaron 211 hogares. El responsable de la preparación de los alimentos contestó la EPSA, otro integrante del hogar contestó dos veces un recordatorio del consumo de veinticuatro horas (R24H). El referente fue la IA por el R24H y la prueba la EPSA. Resultados La IA por el R24H fue del 48,8 por ciento, con la EPSA de 19,4 por ciento. La sensibilidad de la EPSA fue de 16,5 por ciento, la especificidad de 77,8 por ciento. El acuerdo según la Kappa fue de -0,06 (IC; -0,20 a -0,03). Conclusiones Bajo el supuesto de equivalencia de métodos, la EPSA subestima la inseguridad alimentaria en el hogar. Los resultados de la EPSA comparados con los del R24H no son coherentes.

Objective Establishing the performance of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) household food security scale (EPSA) which is being used in Latin-America and the Caribbean, compared to a traditionally-used method (food insecurity scale) which has led to establishing food security at individual and population level. The performance of the household food security scale (EPSA) was evaluated during 2007-2008 and compared to that of the food insecurity (FI) scale based on the energy usually consumed. Methods Two hundred and eleven household participated in the study. The person responsible for preparing food in the home answered the EPSA questionnaire. Another household member filled in a form recording the last twenty-four hours' household consumption (R24H) (on two different occasions). The study was validated by food insecurity from R24H and supposed food security from the EPSA questionnaire. Results Food insecurity by R24H was 48.8 percent and 19.4 percent on the EPSA. The EPSA had 16.5 percent sensitivity and 77.8 percent specificity. Agreement between both methods according to Cohen's Kappa was -0.06 (-0.20-0.03 CI). Conclusion Assuming equivalence of methods, the EPSA greatly underestimated household food insecurity. The EPSA results compared to those arising from the R24H were not very coherent. Some implications are discussed regarding related public policy.

Canasta básica de alimentos real en hogares beneficiarios de la Fundación Ximena Rico Llano de Medellín-Colombia / Basic foods in households receiving benefits from Ximena Rico Llano Foundation, Medellín-Colombia

Objetivo: establecer la composición de la canasta básica de alimentos real, el hábito de compra y el costo de los productos no alimentarios en hogares beneficiarios de la Fundación Ximena Rico Llano de Medellín-Colombia, en el año 2007. Materiales y métodos: estudio transversal en una muestra representativa y aleatoria de 91 hogares de la Fundación. Se aplicó una encuesta estructurada que permitió definir la canasta básica de alimentos real a partir de la disponibilidad mensual de alimentos y la determinación del hábito de compra, volumen de compra, costo, aporte de energía y aporte de proteínas provenientes de los productos alimentarios. Adicionalmente se definió la disponibilidad y costos de los productos no alimentarios adquiridos en los hogares. Resultados: la canasta básica de alimentos estuvo constituida en promedio por 30 alimentos distribuidos en doce grupos; sin embargo 16% de las familias no disponía en su canasta básica de alimentos como carne y vísceras, sustitutos de la carne, leguminosas, lácteos, bebidas, frutas y verduras. El costo de la canasta básica de alimentos fue de $448.623 (US$216), equivalente a 1,03 salarios mínimos mensuales legales vigentes. El costo de los productos no alimenticios equivalía al 14,03% del gasto mensual de los hogares en la canasta. Conclusiones: la canasta básica de alimentos de los hogares de la Fundación Ximena Rico Llano estuvo conformada por 30 alimentos, presentando poca variedad en la compra y comprometiendo el aporte nutricional de la dieta. La adquisición de productos no alimentarios (artículos para aseo personal y del hogar) representa un rubro importante dentro de los gastos mensuales, lo que puede comprometer la compra de alimentos.

Objective: to determine in the households receiving benefits from Ximena Rico Llano foundation Medellin-Colombia, the composition of consumed food, what foods these families use to buy and the cost for no nutritious food. Materials and methods: cross sectional study. Randomized and representative sample of 91 families from the foundation were selected. An structured survey was applied to define the basic foods consumed according the accessibility and to determine what type and how much food families buy, and also the cost, calories and proteins content of these foods. Moreover the cost and the accessibility for no nutritious food were also identified. Results: the basic meals consumed for families were represented for 30 aliments distributed in 12 groups; however 16% of the families didn’t have access to staple food like meat, legumes, dairy products, fruits and vegetables. The cost of the basic food was about $448.623 (US$216), it was the equivalent to 1,03 basic wage. The cost for no nutritious food represented 14% of the total Money spending in food per month. Conclusions: the basic foods of the families from Ximena Rico Llano Foundation consisted of 30 aliments, and no variety was observed. These families didn’t meet the nutritional requirements. Acquisition of products different to food represented another important investments that restrain families to spent more in staple food.