Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Predictors of Food Insecurity in Australia during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Elizabeth Lester,Beth Penrose,Stuart Auckland,Stephanie Godrich,Denis Visentin,Katherine Kent,Sandra Murray

doi:10.3390/nu12092682

Elizabeth Lester, Beth Penrose + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12092682

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Journal: Nutrients	Publication Date: Sep 2, 2020
Citations: 106	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Tasmania, Edith Cowan University

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated economic vulnerabilities and disrupted the Australian food supply, with potential implications for food insecurity. This study aims to describe the prevalence and socio-demographic associations of food insecurity in Tasmania, Australia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey (deployed late May to early June 2020) incorporated the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form, and fifteen demographic and COVID-related income questions. Survey data (n = 1170) were analyzed using univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression. The prevalence of food insecurity was 26%. The adjusted odds of food insecurity were higher among respondents with a disability, from a rural area, and living with dependents. Increasing age, a university education, and income above $80,000/year were protective against food insecurity. Food insecurity more than doubled with a loss of household income above 25% (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 2.02; 95% CI: 1.11, 3.71; p = 0.022), and the odds further increased with loss of income above 75% (AOR: 7.14; 95% CI: 2.01, 24.83; p = 0.002). Our results suggest that the prevalence of food insecurity may have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among economically vulnerable households and people who lost income. Policies that support disadvantaged households and ensure adequate employment opportunities are important to support Australians throughout and post the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights

Food security is achieved “when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life” [1]
This study presents results from a survey of adults in Tasmania, Australia, assessing the prevalence and socio-demographic predictors of household food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic
Our results demonstrate that between late April and early June 2020, a time when wide-spread social distancing restrictions were in place, more than 1 in 4 (26%) respondents had experienced food insecurity to some degree

Summary

Introduction

Food security is achieved “when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life” [1]. Higher proportions have been reported using more accurate measurement tools in many different sub-populations across Australia [9] Both in Australia and internationally, independent household-level determinants of food insecurity include low income [10] and sudden reductions in income [11], in addition to other demographic factors, such as household structure and education [12]. Increased levels of food insecurity have been documented during periods of economic downturn, even after controlling for comprehensive socio-demographic factors [13]

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