Food Insecurity in Households with Children Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from the Household Pulse Survey

As the coronavirus pandemic stretched on, millions of U.S. children and their families faced food insecurity. However, limited empirical studies have systemically investigated food insecurity and food insecurity transitions among households with children in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study was based on a nationally representative sample of households with children (including all 50 states and the District of Columbia, n = 20,543 households) collected by the 2020 Household Pulse Survey. Two generalized estimating equations models were developed, and the results indicated that most sociodemographic factors contributing to severe household food insecurity during the pandemic were similar to those before the pandemic. However, having children enrolled in schools did not protect families from food insecurity during COVID-19. Furthermore, among previously food-secure households, those that were relatively disadvantaged transitioned into food insecurity during COVID-19. As the pandemic persists, more coordinated efforts to ensure all households with children receive adequate nutrition are desperately needed.

Automated summary

This study, based on a nationally representative sample of households with children, found that most sociodemographic factors contributing to severe household food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic were similar to those before the pandemic. However, having children enrolled in schools did not protect families from food insecurity during COVID-19, and relatively disadvantaged households transitioned into food insecurity.