Starting date: April 2020 Duration: 11 month(s) Type: Research
This study analyses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diet quality and food and nutrition security , focusing on children under five and women of childbearing age in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Conducted one year after the implementation of global lockdowns and movement restrictions, it comprises a systematic literature review and two case studies in Ethiopia and Guatemala.
The research highlights that the pandemic had a negative effect on food and nutrition security , particularly through movement restrictions and income losses. It also documents how policy responses have mitigated some adverse effects. The findings underline the importance of well-functioning social protection and food distribution systems in crisis contexts, and of the ability to rapidly implement targeted interventions to safeguard vulnerable populations.
The Nutrition Research Facility (NRF) responded to a request from the European Commission in the context of mobility restrictions implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19.
A systematic review of peer-reviewed and grey literature was carried out to identify and analyse the documented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on diet quality and nutrition of children under-5 and women of child-bearing age in LMICs. In addition, two case studies were conducted in Ethiopia and Guatemala with an analysis of the policy responses and interviews with key informants.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected food and nutrition insecurity in LMICs, mainly through income reductions caused by containment measures. While policy responses may have mitigated some of the adverse effects of the sanitary crisis on malnutrition, the availability of data was insufficient to fully assess both the extent of the impact and the effectiveness of policy responses on nutrition outcomes.
Efficient mitigation measures are important to protect vulnerable population during crises. Pre-existing, well-functioning social protection and food distribution programmes can be a strong asset for addressing food insecurity. The case studies in Guatemala and Ethiopia highlight how governments rapidly implemented policies across various sectors such as social protection, agriculture, trade and nutrition, effectively reducing the pandemic’s adverse effects on vulnerable groups. The coordination with international organisations and development projects enhanced the effectiveness of the responses.
This review underscores significant gaps in available data for analysing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nutrition in LMICs. Despite considerable efforts to synthesise information during the crisis, reliable and comprehensive data remain scarce, particularly regarding the nutritional status of children under five and women of childbearing age. Guatemala was the sole case study providing such data, highlighting the need for improved data collection and monitoring systems.
The study highlights the importance of robust social protection systems and targeted interventions to mitigate the impact of crisis on food and nutrition security. Also important is the coordination and possibility to share resources between governments, local authorities, and international organisations.
Main contact: Luis Goulao
Organisation: University of Lisbon – School of Agriculture (ISA)
Email address: goulao@isa.ulisboa.pt