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Food insecurity, COVID-19 and diets in Fiji - a cross-sectional survey of over 500 adults.
Webster, Jacqui; Moala, Anasaini; McKenzie, Briar; Santos, Joseph Alvin; Palu, Aliyah; Deo, Alvina; Lolohea, Susana; Sanif, Mohammed; Naivunivuni, Penaia; Kumar, Shajal; Vimatemate, Emosi; Tawakilai, Helen; Seru, Litiana; Woodward, Mark; Patay, Dori; Nand, Devina; Kama, Ateca; Reeve, Erica; Waqa, Gade; Bell, Colin.
Afiliación
  • Webster J; The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
  • Moala A; C-POND, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
  • McKenzie B; The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia. bmckenzie@georgeinstitute.org.au.
  • Santos JA; The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
  • Palu A; The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
  • Deo A; Ministry of Health, Suva, Fiji.
  • Lolohea S; C-POND, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
  • Sanif M; C-POND, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
  • Naivunivuni P; C-POND, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
  • Kumar S; C-POND, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
  • Vimatemate E; C-POND, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
  • Tawakilai H; C-POND, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
  • Seru L; C-POND, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
  • Woodward M; The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
  • Patay D; The George Institute for Global Health, Imperial College, London, UK.
  • Nand D; The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
  • Kama A; Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
  • Reeve E; Ministry of Health, Suva, Fiji.
  • Waqa G; Ministry of Health, Suva, Fiji.
  • Bell C; Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
Global Health ; 19(1): 99, 2023 Dec 11.
Article en En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38082363
INTRODUCTION: Food insecurity is associated with inadequate nutrition and increased rates of chronic disease. The primary aim of this study was to assess self-reported food insecurity and the perceived impact of COVID-19 on food security, in two regional districts of Central Fiji, as part of a broader program of work on strengthening and monitoring food policy interventions. The secondary aim was to explore the relationship between food insecurity and salt, sugar and fruit and vegetable intake. METHODS: Seven hundred adults were randomly sampled from the Deuba and Waidamudamu districts of Viti Levu, Fiji. Interview administered surveys were conducted by trained research assistants with data collected electronically. Information was collected on demographics and health status, food security, the perceived impact of COVID-19 on food security, and dietary intake. Food insecurity was assessed using nine questions adapted from Fiji's 2014/5 national nutrition survey, measuring markers of food insecurity over the last 12 months. Additional questions were added to assess the perceived effect of COVID-19 on responses. To address the secondary aim, interview administered 24-hour diet recalls were conducted using Intake24 (a computerised dietary recall system) allowing the calculation of salt, sugar and fruit and vegetable intakes for each person. Weighted linear regression models were used to determine the relationship between food insecurity and salt, sugar and fruit and vegetable intake. RESULTS: 534 people participated in the survey (response rate 76%, 50.4% female, mean age 42 years). 75% (75.3%, 95% CI, 71.4 to 78.8%) of people reported experiencing food insecurity in the 12 months prior to the survey. Around one fifth of people reported running out of foods (16.8%, 13.9 to 20.2%), having to skip meals (19.3%, 16.2 to 22.9%), limiting variety of foods (19.0%, 15.9 to 22.5%), or feeling stressed due to lack of ability to meet food needs (19.5%, 16.4 to 23.0%). 67% (66.9%, 62.9 to 70.7%) reported becoming more food insecure and changing what they ate due to COVID-19. However, people also reported positive changes such as making a home garden (67.8%, 63.7 to 71.6%), growing fruit and vegetables (59.5%, 55.6 to 63.8%), or trying to eat healthier (14.7%, 12.0 to 18.0%). There were no significant associations between food insecurity and intakes of salt, sugar or fruit and vegetables. CONCLUSION: Participants reported high levels of food insecurity, exceeding recommendations for salt and sugar intake and not meeting fruit and vegetable recommendations, and becoming more food insecure due to COVID-19. Most participants reported making home gardens and/or growing fruit and vegetables in response to the pandemic. There is an opportunity for these activities to be fostered in addressing food insecurity in Fiji, with likely relevance to the Pacific region and other Small Island Developing States who face similar food insecurity challenges.
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Texto completo: 1 Base de datos: MEDLINE Asunto principal: Abastecimiento de Alimentos / COVID-19 Límite: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Idioma: En Revista: Global Health Año: 2023 Tipo del documento: Article País de afiliación: Australia

Texto completo: 1 Base de datos: MEDLINE Asunto principal: Abastecimiento de Alimentos / COVID-19 Límite: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Idioma: En Revista: Global Health Año: 2023 Tipo del documento: Article País de afiliación: Australia