Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Predictors of Food Insecurity in Australia during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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 pande...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/9/2682 |
| _version_ | 1797554754824437760 |
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| author | Katherine Kent Sandra Murray Beth Penrose Stuart Auckland Denis Visentin Stephanie Godrich Elizabeth Lester |
| author_facet | Katherine Kent Sandra Murray Beth Penrose Stuart Auckland Denis Visentin Stephanie Godrich Elizabeth Lester |
| author_sort | Katherine Kent |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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 (<i>n</i> = 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; <i>p</i> = 0.022), and the odds further increased with loss of income above 75% (AOR: 7.14; 95% CI: 2.01, 24.83; <i>p</i> = 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:36:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-20e94921e99f4ec597e6f92191ffc84f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:36:34Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-20e94921e99f4ec597e6f92191ffc84f2023-11-20T12:19:46ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432020-09-01129268210.3390/nu12092682Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Predictors of Food Insecurity in Australia during the COVID-19 PandemicKatherine Kent0Sandra Murray1Beth Penrose2Stuart Auckland3Denis Visentin4Stephanie Godrich5Elizabeth Lester6Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Tasmania 7250, AustraliaSchool of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Tasmania 7250, AustraliaTasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Tasmania 7000, AustraliaCentre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Tasmania 7250, AustraliaSchool of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Tasmania 7250, AustraliaSchool of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia 6230, AustraliaInstitute for Social Change, University of Tasmania, Tasmania 7000, AustraliaThe 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 (<i>n</i> = 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; <i>p</i> = 0.022), and the odds further increased with loss of income above 75% (AOR: 7.14; 95% CI: 2.01, 24.83; <i>p</i> = 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/9/2682food insecurityAustraliaCOVID-19food supply |
| spellingShingle | Katherine Kent Sandra Murray Beth Penrose Stuart Auckland Denis Visentin Stephanie Godrich Elizabeth Lester Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Predictors of Food Insecurity in Australia during the COVID-19 Pandemic Nutrients food insecurity Australia COVID-19 food supply |
| title | Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Predictors of Food Insecurity in Australia during the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_full | Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Predictors of Food Insecurity in Australia during the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Predictors of Food Insecurity in Australia during the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Predictors of Food Insecurity in Australia during the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_short | Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Predictors of Food Insecurity in Australia during the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_sort | prevalence and socio demographic predictors of food insecurity in australia during the covid 19 pandemic |
| topic | food insecurity Australia COVID-19 food supply |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/9/2682 |
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