Due to COVID-19, Food Insecurity and Access to Healthy Food Have Become Significant Public Health Problems

Introduction

Since the onset of COVID-19, food insecurity and access to healthy food have become a significant public health problem (Leone et al., 2020). Inequalities in dietary behaviors have been unambiguously correlated to the food environment, including access to healthy and fresh foods (Leone et al., 2020). The Coronavirus Disease, also known as the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to significant fluctuations in the distribution, sale, purchase, preparation, and food consumption in the United States (U.S.) (Leone et al., 2020). In addition, in the United States (U.S.), substantial socioeconomic and racial disparities exist in dietary behaviors (Leone et al., 2020). Limited access to fresh food, coupled with a greater prevalence of fast food outlets in lower-income and minority neighborhoods, is partially responsible for sub-optimal eating patterns among residents (Leone et al., 2020).

Those that are quarantined and not engaged in regular exercise can be susceptible to weight gain and obesity. Obesity is a global issue with significant health and social consequences (Lake, 2011). More specifically, childhood obesity has continued to grow as a problem in the United States. Obesity is defined as a complex disorder affected by many interacting genetic and non-genetic factors (Lake, 2011). Childhood obesity falls under this definition as well but with a focus on a younger demographic. The tool used to aid in indicating high body fat and screen different weight categories is Body Mass Index (BMI) (Centers for Disease Control, 2019). For adults, having a BMI of greater than or equal to 30 is considered obese; however, body mass index for children and adolescents is age and sex-specific (Anderson & Butcher, 2006). The prevalence of obesity in the U.S. is 18.5% and affects about 13.7 million children and adolescents (Centers for Disease Control, 2019). Hispanics (25.8%) and non-Hispanic blacks (22.0%) have a higher prevalence than non-Hispanic whites (14.1%) (Centers for Disease Control, 2019). There is a correlation between childhood obesity and adult obesity, where children that are obese tend to grow to become obese adults (Anderson & Butcher, 2006). According to the World Health Organization (2019), most of the world’s population lives in nations plagued with high death rates from overweight and obesity. In 2016, 41 million children under five were overweight (World Health Organization, 2019).

Child obesity has attained an epidemic level not only in the U.S. but all over the world. The Centers for Disease Control identify overweight as “a BMI at or above the 85th percentile and below the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex” (Centers for Disease Control, 2018). Children and teens who have a BMI above the 95th percentile of their peers of the same age and sex are considered obese (Centers for Disease Control, 2018). In 2016, the number of overweight children globally had reached over 41 million (World Health Organization, 2019). Childhood obesity remains a critical concern in the U.S., as indicated by the number of affected children has tripled. According to 2015 and 2016 statistics, 1 in 5 school-aged children is considered obese (Centers for Disease Control, 2018). It is widely believed that obesity and overweight stem from caloric input exceeding caloric output. However, existing literature indicates excessive consumption of sugar through soft drinks, increased portion intake, and continuous decline in physical activity contribute significantly to the increased rates of obesity in the world (Sahoo et al., 2015).