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COVID-19: Original Article
Changes in food sufficiency among Korean adults in urban and rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of the 7th and 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Sarang Jeong, Jin-Young Jeong, Sohyun Park
Epidemiol Health. 2024;46:e2024045.   Published online April 16, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2024045
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AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDF
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Understanding changes in food sufficiency within various demographic groups during emergency situations, such as the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, is crucial in formulating public health policies for future preparedness. This study investigated potential differences between urban and rural residents in food sufficiency trends during the COVID-19 pandemic and examined how these changes varied according to socio-demographic factors.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 19,724 adults aged 20 years and older, utilizing information from the 7th-8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2018-2021).
RESULTS
In urban areas, across all subpopulations, food sufficiency improved significantly during the COVID-19 period relative to pre-pandemic levels (p<0.001). However, in rural regions, a significant increase in food sufficiency during the COVID-19 era was observed only among female, with an odds ratio of 1.42 (95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 1.89). Nevertheless, no significant interaction terms were found between region and various socio-demographic factors regarding changes in food sufficiency during the COVID-19 period.
CONCLUSIONS
During the COVID-19 pandemic, food sufficiency among urban residents improved compared to the pre-pandemic era, whereas their rural counterparts saw no such improvement. Additionally, no significant interaction was detected between urban versus rural areas and changes in food sufficiency during the COVID-19 period. These findings indicate the need for targeted food policies to prepare for potential future pandemics, particularly in rural areas, where food sufficiency did not improve.
Summary
Korean summary
- 본 연구는 COVID-19 팬데믹 동안 도시와 농촌 지역의 성인들 사이에서 식품 충분성의 변화를 조사하고, 이 변화를 사회인구학적 요인에 따라 분석하였다.
- 연구 결과, 코로나19 기간 동안 도시 지역의 다양한 인구통계학적 하위 그룹에서 식품 충분성이 크게 증가했으며, 농촌 지역에서는 여성들을 제외하고는 유의미한 변화가 나타나지 않았다.
- 본 연구는 향후 팬데믹 대비를 위한 식품 충분성 정책을 개발할 때 인구통계학적 요인과 지역적 차이를 고려하는 것이 중요하며, 특히 농촌 지역에서의 필요성을 강조한다.
Key Message
- This study examined changes in food sufficiency among adults in urban and rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on socio-demographic factors.
- Findings revealed that food sufficiency significantly increased in urban areas across various demographic subgroups during the COVID-19 period, while rural areas showed no significant overall change, except for an increase among women.
- The study highlights the importance of considering socio-demographic factors and regional differences, particularly the need for targeted food assistance programs in rural areas, for future pandemic preparedness.

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