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Prevalence and socio-demographic predictors of food insecurity in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic
Citation
Kent, K and Murray, S and Penrose, B and Auckland, S and Visentin, D and Godrich, S and Lester, EA, Prevalence and socio-demographic predictors of food insecurity in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nutrients, 12, (9) pp. 1-20. ISSN 2072-6643 (2020) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright 2020 The Authors. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Abstract
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 (n = 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; p = 0.022), and the odds further increased
with loss of income above 75% (AOR: 7.14; 95% CI: 2.01, 24.83; p = 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.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | food insecurity, Australia, COVID-19, food supply |
| Research Division: | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences |
| Research Group: | Nutrition and dietetics |
| Research Field: | Nutrition and dietetics not elsewhere classified |
| Objective Division: | Health |
| Objective Group: | Public health (excl. specific population health) |
| Objective Field: | Nutrition |
| UTAS Author: | Kent, K (Dr Katherine Kent) |
| UTAS Author: | Murray, S (Ms Sandra Murray) |
| UTAS Author: | Penrose, B (Dr Beth Penrose) |
| UTAS Author: | Auckland, S (Mr Stuart Auckland) |
| UTAS Author: | Visentin, D (Dr Denis Visentin) |
| UTAS Author: | Lester, EA (Professor Libby Lester) |
| ID Code: | 140759 |
| Year Published: | 2020 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 35 |
| Deposited By: | UTAS Centre for Rural Health |
| Deposited On: | 2020-09-03 |
| Last Modified: | 2021-12-15 |
| Downloads: | 17 View Download Statistics |
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