Food insecurity, COVID-19 and diets in Fiji – a cross-sectional survey of over 500 adults
Abstract 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...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2023-12-01
|
| Series: | Globalization and Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-023-01004-w |
| _version_ | 1827581325862764544 |
|---|---|
| author | Jacqui Webster Anasaini Moala Briar McKenzie Joseph Alvin Santos Aliyah Palu Alvina Deo Susana Lolohea Mohammed Sanif Penaia Naivunivuni Shajal Kumar Emosi Vimatemate Helen Tawakilai Litiana Seru Mark Woodward Dori Patay Devina Nand Ateca Kama Erica Reeve Gade Waqa Colin Bell |
| author_facet | Jacqui Webster Anasaini Moala Briar McKenzie Joseph Alvin Santos Aliyah Palu Alvina Deo Susana Lolohea Mohammed Sanif Penaia Naivunivuni Shajal Kumar Emosi Vimatemate Helen Tawakilai Litiana Seru Mark Woodward Dori Patay Devina Nand Ateca Kama Erica Reeve Gade Waqa Colin Bell |
| author_sort | Jacqui Webster |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T22:34:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e47f447a9b134589bc9bb5a63691d970 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1744-8603 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T22:34:46Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Globalization and Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-e47f447a9b134589bc9bb5a63691d9702023-12-17T12:33:29ZengBMCGlobalization and Health1744-86032023-12-0119111310.1186/s12992-023-01004-wFood insecurity, COVID-19 and diets in Fiji – a cross-sectional survey of over 500 adultsJacqui Webster0Anasaini Moala1Briar McKenzie2Joseph Alvin Santos3Aliyah Palu4Alvina Deo5Susana Lolohea6Mohammed Sanif7Penaia Naivunivuni8Shajal Kumar9Emosi Vimatemate10Helen Tawakilai11Litiana Seru12Mark Woodward13Dori Patay14Devina Nand15Ateca Kama16Erica Reeve17Gade Waqa18Colin Bell19The George Institute for Global Health, UNSWC-POND, Fiji National UniversityThe George Institute for Global Health, UNSWThe George Institute for Global Health, UNSWThe George Institute for Global Health, UNSWMinistry of HealthC-POND, Fiji National UniversityC-POND, Fiji National UniversityC-POND, Fiji National UniversityC-POND, Fiji National UniversityC-POND, Fiji National UniversityC-POND, Fiji National UniversityC-POND, Fiji National UniversityThe George Institute for Global Health, UNSWThe George Institute for Global Health, UNSWMinistry of HealthMinistry of HealthInstitute for Health Transformation, Deakin UniversityC-POND, Fiji National UniversityInstitute for Health Transformation, Deakin UniversityAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-023-01004-wFood securityDietNutritionPacific islandsRemote and regional communitiesCovid-19 |
| spellingShingle | Jacqui Webster Anasaini Moala Briar McKenzie Joseph Alvin Santos Aliyah Palu Alvina Deo Susana Lolohea Mohammed Sanif Penaia Naivunivuni Shajal Kumar Emosi Vimatemate Helen Tawakilai Litiana Seru Mark Woodward Dori Patay Devina Nand Ateca Kama Erica Reeve Gade Waqa Colin Bell Food insecurity, COVID-19 and diets in Fiji – a cross-sectional survey of over 500 adults Globalization and Health Food security Diet Nutrition Pacific islands Remote and regional communities Covid-19 |
| title | Food insecurity, COVID-19 and diets in Fiji – a cross-sectional survey of over 500 adults |
| title_full | Food insecurity, COVID-19 and diets in Fiji – a cross-sectional survey of over 500 adults |
| title_fullStr | Food insecurity, COVID-19 and diets in Fiji – a cross-sectional survey of over 500 adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Food insecurity, COVID-19 and diets in Fiji – a cross-sectional survey of over 500 adults |
| title_short | Food insecurity, COVID-19 and diets in Fiji – a cross-sectional survey of over 500 adults |
| title_sort | food insecurity covid 19 and diets in fiji a cross sectional survey of over 500 adults |
| topic | Food security Diet Nutrition Pacific islands Remote and regional communities Covid-19 |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-023-01004-w |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jacquiwebster foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT anasainimoala foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT briarmckenzie foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT josephalvinsantos foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT aliyahpalu foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT alvinadeo foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT susanalolohea foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT mohammedsanif foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT penaianaivunivuni foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT shajalkumar foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT emosivimatemate foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT helentawakilai foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT litianaseru foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT markwoodward foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT doripatay foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT devinanand foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT atecakama foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT ericareeve foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT gadewaqa foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults AT colinbell foodinsecuritycovid19anddietsinfijiacrosssectionalsurveyofover500adults |