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Pre-pandemic to early-pandemic changes in risk of household food insecurity among Maryland families with children
Kowalski, A. J., Kuhn, A. P., Lane, H. G., Trude, A. C. B., Selam, H., Hager, E. R., & Black, M. M. (2022). Pre-pandemic to early-pandemic changes in risk of household food insecurity among Maryland families with children. Public Health Nutrition, 25(6), 1701-1710. Article 136898002100481. https://doi.org/10.1017/S136898002100481X
OBJECTIVE: The objective was to examine risk and protective factors associated with pre- to early-pandemic changes in risk of household food insecurity (FI).
DESIGN: We re-enrolled families from two statewide studies (2017-2020) in an observational cohort (May-August 2020). Caregivers reported on risk of household FI, demographics, pandemic-related hardships, and participation in safety net programs (e.g. CARES stimulus payment, school meals).
SETTING: Maryland, United States.
PARTICIPANTS: Economically, geographically, and racially/ethnically diverse families with preschool to adolescent-age children. Eligibility included reported receipt or expected receipt of the CARES stimulus payment or a pandemic-related economic hardship (n=496).
RESULTS: Prevalence of risk of FI was unchanged (pre-pandemic: 22%, early-pandemic: 25%, p=0.27). Risk of early-pandemic FI was elevated for non-Hispanic Black (aRR=2.1 [95% CI 1.1, 4.0]) and Other families (aRR=2.6 [1.3, 5.4]) and families earning ≤300% federal poverty level. Among pre-pandemic food secure families, decreased income, job loss, and reduced hours were associated with increased early-pandemic FI risk (aRR=2.1 [1.2, 3.6] to 2.5 [1.5, 4.1]); CARES stimulus payment (aRR=0.5 [0.3, 0.9]) and continued school meal participation (aRR=0.2 [0.1, 0.9]) were associated with decreased risk. Among families at risk of FI pre-pandemic, safety net program participation was not associated with early-pandemic FI risk.
CONCLUSIONS: The CARES stimulus payment and continued school meal participation protected pre-pandemic food secure families from early-pandemic FI risk but did not protect families who were at risk of FI pre-pandemic. Mitigating pre-pandemic FI risk and providing stimulus payments and school meals may support children's health and reduce disparities in response to pandemics.
