Food insecurity in Chilean university students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Rev. méd. Chile
;
151(3)mar. 2023.
Article
in English
|
LILACS-Express
| LILACS
| ID: biblio-1530271
ABSTRACT
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.
RESUMEN
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.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Type of study:
Risk factors
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Chile
Language:
English
Journal:
Rev. méd. Chile
Journal subject:
Medicine
Year:
2023
Type:
Article
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