Food Security and Health Eating Survey
Since COVID-19 was first declared a global pandemic in March 2020, it has made an unprecedented impact in the way we live our lives. The pandemic caused an economic recession, leading to more people experiencing food insecurity. Food insecurity is correlated with unhealthy eating and negative health implications, including chronic disease and obesity.
Statistics in our Pivital Public Health Partnership counties indicate that there is a high percentage of families that do not have easy access to healthier food choices as well as a lack of education around nutrition. To view rates, see Obesity and Food Access
Pivital sought to find the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthy eating and food security within our 8-county region of Chemung, Livingston, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates Counties. The survey was available from February 25- March 17, 2021 and garnered 689 responses from across the region.
Results indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increase in food insecurity and unhealthy eating in the region.
Statistics in our Pivital Public Health Partnership counties indicate that there is a high percentage of families that do not have easy access to healthier food choices as well as a lack of education around nutrition. To view rates, see Obesity and Food Access
Pivital sought to find the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthy eating and food security within our 8-county region of Chemung, Livingston, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates Counties. The survey was available from February 25- March 17, 2021 and garnered 689 responses from across the region.
Results indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increase in food insecurity and unhealthy eating in the region.
Food Insecurity
According to the Hunger Vital Sign™, the survey results showed that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of food insecurity in the region was 26%, and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic it rose to 40%.
· There was an increase in food security across all income levels, but the greatest increases in food insecurity came from households making less money.
· Not only were lower income household more likely to be food insecure before the pandemic, but they were also the most adversely effected by the pandemic with regards to food insecurity.
· Not only were lower income household more likely to be food insecure before the pandemic, but they were also the most adversely effected by the pandemic with regards to food insecurity.
· All household sizes saw an increase in food insecurity.
· Households with children were more likely to be food insecure before the pandemic and saw the biggest increase in food insecurity.
· Households with children were more likely to be food insecure before the pandemic and saw the biggest increase in food insecurity.
Food Sources
- · Nearly all respondents obtain their food or groceries at a grocery store and continued to do so after COVID-19.
· Fast food and convenience store use for groceries/food did not have any notable change.
Healthy Eating
· 40% of respondents reported consuming less fruits and vegetables.
|
· 42% of respondents reported eating less healthy.
|
Income
- · Median income levels decreased in the region one year after the COVID-19 pandemic.
SNAP & WIC
· 8% of all respondents started receiving or receive more SNAP benefits and 1% started receiving or receive more WIC benefits since the COVID-19 pandemic.
· 16% of food insecure respondents started receiving or receive more SNAP benefits.
· 16% of food insecure respondents started receiving or receive more SNAP benefits.
Other Results
· 45% of respondents know someone who is struggling with food security as a result of the pandemic.
· 39% of respondents have more than one person under the age of 18 living in their household.
· 84% of respondents had two or more people living in their household.
· 39% of respondents have more than one person under the age of 18 living in their household.
· 84% of respondents had two or more people living in their household.
Looking Ahead
It is unknown just how much these increases will affect chronic disease and obesity prevalence in the months and years to come. Implementing strategies to address food insecurity will be vital to also prevent chronic disease and obesity.
