Food insecurity and eating habits of Lebanese children aged 5–11 years during the COVID-19 pandemic and the socioeconomic crisis: a national study

Tittle: Food insecurity and eating habits of Lebanese children aged 5–11 years during the COVID-19 pandemic and the socioeconomic crisis: a national study

Tittle: Food insecurity and eating habits of Lebanese children aged 5–11 years during the COVID-19 pandemic and the socioeconomic crisis: a national study

Reine Gedeon

Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik

Souheil Hallit

School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik

Lara Hanna Wakim

Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14387-z

Journal volume & issue

Vol. 22, no. 1

pp. 1 - 11

Research Objective

To find the prevalence of food insecurity among Lebanese children during the COVID-19 pandemic and its correlates.

Research Subject

Lebanese children aged between 5 and 11 years from public and private schools.

Research Time

March-April 2022.

 Research Location

All Lebanese governorates.

 Research Reason

Food insecurity is expected to be higher during the difficult times in Lebanon, which is facing many financial, political, economic, and health debates.

Processing Data and Research Methods

This cross-sectional study enrolled 4001 participants. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education randomly disseminated the link to parents of children aged between 5 and 11 years from public and private schools.

Research Result

- 1505 (37.6%) had moderate food insecurity.

- 1497 (37.4%) had severe food insecurity.

- A higher percentage of severe food insecurity was reported by fathers compared to mothers.

- Participants reporting bad overall health status of their children had severe food insecurity.

- Severe food insecurity correlated with decreased daily snacking, quantity of meals, intake of vegetables/fruits, balanced diet, junk food, sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets/candies/chocolate, unhealthy food, immunity-boosting food, nutrition supplements, participation in house chores, number of sleeping hours, sleep quality, and increased stress/anxiety.

- Higher mean financial burden was seen in families with severe food insecurity compared to other groups.

Conclusion

The study found a high prevalence of moderate to severe food insecurity among Lebanese children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Food insecurity should be seriously discussed in Lebanon to avoid short and long-term consequences on human health amid the country's crises.

Keywords

Food insecurity, Lebanese children, COVID-19 pandemic, financial burden, health status, dietary habits.