Pre and Post COVID19 Pandemic Household Food Insecurity and Diet of Urban Children From Querétaro, Mexico

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the changes in Household Food Insecurity (HFI) and diet in children pre and post COVID-19 pandemic in a group of children living in an urban area in Querétaro, Mexico. METHODS: A total of 67 children (mean age = 11 years, range = 9–13 years) participated in this longitudinal study. HFI and diet were measured in-person, before the COVID-19 pandemic (December 2019) and by phone, after the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2021). HFI was assessed using the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA) while diet was assessed using a previously validated food frequency questionnaire. Differences in HFI and diet were tested using McNemar's and T-student tests, respectively. RESULTS: Half of the children that participated in the study were female. HFI increased from 44.8% in December 2019 to 56.7% in March 2021. 22.4% of households changed from food secure to food insecure. Moderate food insecurity post COVID19 pandemic increased compared to pre pandemic levels (<0.05). Changes in diet included a decrease in vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meats, sausages and cereal intake, and an increase in high-calorie beverage intake (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures may affect children's diet and increase the risk of HFI. Our findings highlight the need for further investment in targeted nutritional strategies as part of multisectoral solutions to improve HFI during and after COVID-19 pandemic. FUNDING SOURCES: Partially funded by FOFI, UAQ.