ArticleHealth SA = SA Gesondheid2025
Food security and dietary intake of a cohort of South African students during COVID-19.
Article in Health SA = SA Gesondheid, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Food insecurity among students was a global concern even before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Food security comprises having access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food at all times. The COVID-19 containment measures negatively influenced economies, impacting citizens' food security. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the food security of a cohort of South African students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Setting: The sample included Health Science students from a university in Central South Africa. Methods: A mixed-method study was performed using questionnaires and focus group discussions. The questionnaire and focus group discussions investigated similar areas and were supported by literature. Ethical clearance was obtained. Results: Food insecurity existed among 84% of questionnaire participants. Dietary intake changed, with mainly a decrease in sugary and salty snacks. Focus group participants indicated an increase in the intake of starchy foods and reverted to binge eating. Dietary intake changes were attributed to poor availability and limited resources, for example money and electricity. Few participants were aware of or utilised available support services. Conclusion: The isolated, confined and extreme (ICE) environment that resulted from COVID-19 negatively impacted students' dietary intake and food security. Institutions should implement measures to support students' intake of healthy foods during ICE events. Contribution: This study provides significant insights into the dietary intake and food security of a cohort of Health Science students during COVID-19. It highlights the need for improved institutional and government food relief interventions during future pandemics. Therefore, this study contributes to the second sustainable development goal namely: zero hunger.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.