What is known about the prevalence of household food insecurity in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic : a systematic review

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.24095/hpcdp.42.5.01

Language of the publication
English
Date
2022
Type
Accepted manuscript
Author(s)
  • Idzerda, Leanne
  • Gariépy, Geneviève
  • Corrin, Tricia
  • Tarasuk, Valerie
  • McIntyre, Lynn
  • Neil-Sztramko, Sarah
  • Dobbins, Maureen
  • Snelling, Susan
  • Jaramillo Garcia, Alejandra
Publisher
The Public Health Agency of Canada

Abstract

Introduction: Household food insecurity (HFI) is a persistent public health issue in Canada that may have disproportionately affected certain subgroups of the population during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this systematic review is to report on the prevalence of HFI in the Canadian general population and in subpopulations after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Methods: Sixteen databases were searched from 1 March 2020 to 5 May 2021. Abstract and full-text screening was conducted by one reviewer and the inclusions verified by a second reviewer. Only studies that reported on the prevalence of HFI in Canadian households were included. Data extraction, risk of bias and certainty of the evidence assessments were conducted by two reviewers. Results: Of 8986 studies identified in the search, four studies, three of which collected data in April and May 2020, were included. The evidence concerning the prevalence of HFI during the COVID-19 pandemic is very uncertain. The prevalence of HFI (marginal to severe) ranged from 14% to 17% in the general population. Working-age populations aged 18 to 44 years had higher HFI (range: 18%–23%) than adults aged 60+ years (5%–11%). Some of the highest HFI prevalence was observed among households with children (range: 19%–22%), those who had lost their jobs or stopped working due to COVID-19 (24%–39%) and those with job insecurity (26%). Conclusion: The evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic may have slightly increased total household food insecurity in Canada during the pandemic, especially in populations that were already vulnerable to HFI. There is a need to continue to monitor HFI in Canada.

Subject

  • Health

Keywords

  • food insecurity,
  • COVID-19,
  • systematic review,
  • underserved populations,
  • Canada

Rights

Pagination

177-187

Peer review

Yes

Open access level

Green

Identifiers

ISSN
2368-738X

Article

Journal title
Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada: Research, Policy and Practice
Journal volume
42
Journal issue
5

Relation

Citation(s)

Idzerda L, Gariépy G, Corrin T, Tarasuk V, McIntyre L, Neil-Sztramko S, Dobbins M, Snelling S, Jaramillo Garcia A. What is known about the prevalence of household food insecurity in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 2022;42(5):177-87. https://doi.org/10.24095/hpcdp.42.5.01

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Collection(s)

Public health surveillance

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