Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Insecurity in Puerto Rico

César Ostolaza, Carla Rosas, Ana María García-Blanco, Joel Gittelsohn, Uriyoán Colón-Ramos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This survey (n = 1,356) reports food insecurity (FI) in Puerto Rico (PR) at 38% before, and 40% since, the COVID-19 pandemic. Odds for FI increased for households with annual income ≤$15k vs. ≥$60k (OR: 3.52; 95% CI: 1.20, 10.36); experiencing an income reduction (OR: 2.22 (1.55, 3.18)); participating in the United States Department of Agriculture Nutrition Assistance Program (OR: 1.75 (1.14, 2.70)); higher food acquisition anxiety (OR: 1.45 (1.29, 1.64)); increased home availability of fruit-flavored drinks (OR: 1.52 (1.04, 2.22)), whereas increased fruit availability was protective (OR: 0.63 (0.43, 0.93)). Results heighten the need to examine FI strategies in PR.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)380-395
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition
Volume18
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • food acquisition
  • food insecurity
  • nutrition security
  • puerto rico
  • territory
  • us territories

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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