The COVID-19, Obesity, and Food Insecurity Syndemic
1Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20052, USA. sydneypryor@gwu.edu.
Current Obesity Reports
|February 9, 2022
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic worsened obesity and food insecurity, especially for essential workers. Strengthening food systems and worker protections can combat this syndemic and promote sustainable diets.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated existing health and social inequities.
- Obesity and food insecurity are significant global health challenges, often intertwined with socioeconomic factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and provide evidence for the syndemic of COVID-19, obesity, and food insecurity.
- To propose mitigation strategies, focusing on vulnerable populations and the essential workforce.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on COVID-19, obesity, and food insecurity.
- Analysis of the impact of the pandemic on the food supply chain and essential workers.
Main Results:
- The pandemic has worsened obesity and food insecurity, increasing risks for COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and mortality.
- Unsustainable dietary patterns contribute to food insecurity and obesity.
- The essential food supply chain workforce has been disproportionately affected.
Conclusions:
- Strengthening social safety nets and worker protections is crucial for food security and livelihoods.
- Developing local and regional food systems offers a dual solution to the COVID-19 syndemic and the global syndemic of obesity, undernutrition, and climate change.
- Prioritizing the food supply chain workforce is essential for resilient food systems.
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