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Ecological risk and protective factors for food insufficiency in Los Angeles County during the COVID-19 pandemic
General Information
Title
Ecological risk and protective factors for food insufficiency in Los Angeles County during the COVID-19 pandemic
Author
Kayla de la Haye, Htay-Wah Saw, Sydney Miller, Wändi Bruine de Bruin, John P Wilson, Kate Weber, Alison Frazzini, Michelle Livings, Marianna Babboni a
Publication Type
Journal paper
Outlet
Public Health Nutrition
Year
2023
Abstract
Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic increased food insufficiency: a severe form of
food insecurity. Drawing on an ecological framework, we aimed to understand
factors that contributed to changes in food insufficiency from April to December
2020, in a large urban population hard hit by the pandemic.
Design: We conducted internet surveys every 2 weeks in April–December 2020,
including a subset of items from the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Longitudinal
analysis identified predictors of food insufficiency, using fixed effects models.
Setting: Los Angeles County, which has a diverse population of 10 million
residents.
Participants: A representative sample of 1535 adults in Los Angeles County who
are participants in the Understanding Coronavirus in America tracking survey.
Results: Rates of food insufficiency spiked in the first year of the pandemic,
especially among participants living in poverty, in middle adulthood and with
larger households. Government food assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program was significantly associated with reduced food insufficiency
over time, while other forms of assistance such as help from family and friends or
stimulus funds were not.
Conclusions: The findings highlight that during a crisis, there is value in rapidly
monitoring food insufficiency and investing in government food benefits.