Predictors of household food insecurity in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic

• DOI: 10.1101/2020.06.10.20122275
• Publication Date: 2020-06-12T14:55:12Z
• Authors: Brianna N. Lauren; Elisabeth R. Silver; Adam S. Faye; Jennifer A. Woo B...; Elissa M. Ozanne; Chin Hur
• Keywords: Pandemic; Depression; Household income

Abstract Objective To examine associations between sociodemographic and mental health characteristics with household food insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Design Cross-sectional online survey analyzed using univariable tests multivariable logistic regression model. Setting The United States during week March 30, 2020. Participants Convenience sample 1,965 American adults Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) platform. reporting prior to pandemic were excluded from analyses. Results 1,517 participants reported security before Among this subset, 30% after outbreak, 53% women 72% white. On analysis, race, income, relationship status, anxiety, depression significantly associated incident insecurity. Black respondents, Hispanic/Latino respondents annual income less than $100,000 more likely experience Individuals experiencing 2.09 (95% CI 1.58–2.83) times screen positively for anxiety 1.88 1.37–2.52) depression. Conclusions Food due is common, certain populations are particularly vulnerable. There strong anxiety/depression. Public interventions increase accessibility healthful foods, especially communities, crucial relieving economic stress pandemic.