Food insecurity in Chilean university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND:Food and nutrition were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing levels of food insecurity. University students were a risk group for food insecurity due to the closure of educational establishments where they received their main meals. AIM:To assess food insecurity among Chilean public university students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study had a non-probabilistic before-and-after design. Undergraduate students from all colleges at the university were invited to answer an online survey about food insecurity, devised based on FAO Food Insecurity Experience Scale. RESULTS:Nine hundred and one students answered the survey. The prevalence of moderate/severe food insecurity increased from 9.5% to 14.3% before and during the pandemic, respectively. Forty two percent (n = 196) of student households became food insecure during the sanitary crisis. Students commented on the positive and negative aspects of the pandemic in their eating behaviors. CONCLUSIONS:Undergraduate students are vulnerable to food insecurity. Mitigation actions should be carried out when educational establishments are closed.