Barriers to Accessing Healthy Food and Food Assistance During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Racial Justice Uprisings: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Emerging Adults' Experiences.
Eating behavior
Emerging adults
Food access
Food assistance
Food insecurity
Journal
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
ISSN: 2212-2672
Titre abrégé: J Acad Nutr Diet
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101573920
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
09 2021
09 2021
Historique:
received:
03
02
2021
revised:
14
04
2021
accepted:
12
05
2021
pubmed:
24
7
2021
medline:
27
8
2021
entrez:
23
7
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
A steep rise in food insecurity is among the most pressing US public health problems that has resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to (1) describe how food-insecure emerging adults are adapting their eating and child-feeding behaviors during COVID-19 and (2) identify barriers and opportunities to improve local food access and access to food assistance. The COVID-19 Eating and Activity Over Time study collected survey data from emerging adults during April to October 2020 and completed interviews with a diverse subset of food-insecure respondents. A total of 720 emerging adults (mean age: 24.7 ± 2.0 years; 62% female; 90% living in Minnesota) completed an online survey, and a predominately female subsample (n = 33) completed an interview by telephone or videoconference. Survey measures included the short-form of the US Household Food Security Survey Module and 2 items to assess food insufficiency. Interviews assessed eating and feeding behaviors along with barriers to healthy food access. Descriptive statistics and a hybrid deductive and inductive content analysis. Nearly one-third of survey respondents had experienced food insecurity in the past year. Interviews with food-insecure participants identified 6 themes with regard to changes in eating and feeding behavior (eg, more processed food, sporadic eating), 5 themes regarding local food access barriers (eg, limited enforcement of COVID-19 safety practices, experiencing discrimination), and 4 themes regarding barriers to accessing food assistance (eg, lack of eligibility, difficulty in locating pantries). Identified recommendations include (1) expanding the distribution of information about food pantries and meal distribution sites, and (2) increasing fresh fruit and vegetable offerings at these sites. Interventions of specific relevance to COVID-19 (eg, stronger implementation of safety practices) and expanded food assistance services are needed to improve the accessibility of healthy food for emerging adults.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
A steep rise in food insecurity is among the most pressing US public health problems that has resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to (1) describe how food-insecure emerging adults are adapting their eating and child-feeding behaviors during COVID-19 and (2) identify barriers and opportunities to improve local food access and access to food assistance.
DESIGN
The COVID-19 Eating and Activity Over Time study collected survey data from emerging adults during April to October 2020 and completed interviews with a diverse subset of food-insecure respondents.
PARTICIPANTS/SETTING
A total of 720 emerging adults (mean age: 24.7 ± 2.0 years; 62% female; 90% living in Minnesota) completed an online survey, and a predominately female subsample (n = 33) completed an interview by telephone or videoconference.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Survey measures included the short-form of the US Household Food Security Survey Module and 2 items to assess food insufficiency. Interviews assessed eating and feeding behaviors along with barriers to healthy food access.
ANALYSES PERFORMED
Descriptive statistics and a hybrid deductive and inductive content analysis.
RESULTS
Nearly one-third of survey respondents had experienced food insecurity in the past year. Interviews with food-insecure participants identified 6 themes with regard to changes in eating and feeding behavior (eg, more processed food, sporadic eating), 5 themes regarding local food access barriers (eg, limited enforcement of COVID-19 safety practices, experiencing discrimination), and 4 themes regarding barriers to accessing food assistance (eg, lack of eligibility, difficulty in locating pantries). Identified recommendations include (1) expanding the distribution of information about food pantries and meal distribution sites, and (2) increasing fresh fruit and vegetable offerings at these sites.
CONCLUSIONS
Interventions of specific relevance to COVID-19 (eg, stronger implementation of safety practices) and expanded food assistance services are needed to improve the accessibility of healthy food for emerging adults.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34294591
pii: S2212-2672(21)00343-9
doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2021.05.018
pmc: PMC8373666
mid: NIHMS1705285
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
1679-1694Subventions
Organisme : NHLBI NIH HHS
ID : R35 HL139853
Pays : United States
Organisme : NCATS NIH HHS
ID : UL1 TR002494
Pays : United States
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2021 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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