Ohno M, Vávra J, Jehlička P
Department of Social Geography and Regional Development, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43, Prague, Czechia.
Department of Local and Regional Studies, Institute of Sociology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Jilská 1, 110 00, Prague, Czechia.
BMC Public Health. 2025 Jul 2;25(1):2204. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23154-9.
Food insecurity is one of the social determinants of health and affects dietary quality and well-being. This study aimed to examine the associations among food insecurity, sociodemographic and economic factors, and health-diet characteristics, with a particular focus on fresh fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption during the late COVID-19 pandemic in Czechia.
Data from a cross-sectional survey, 'Living through the Pandemic', collected in October 2022 as part of a Czech longitudinal survey, were analysed. The study included a representative sample of Czech adults (N = 1,499, aged 20 years and above). Binary logistic regression was performed to assess associations among food insecurity, sociodemographic-economic factors and health-diet factors. Food insecurity was assessed as experiencing or worrying about a lack of food. Sociodemographic-economic factors included sex, age, education, income, number of children and home food production. Health-diet factors included BMI, limited mobility and daily fresh FV intake, defined as eating fresh FV at least once per day. Determinants of daily fresh FV intake were analysed separately.
Over 30% of respondents (N = 486) were at risk of food insecurity. Individuals aged 20-34 years, those with lower educational attainment, and those with limited mobility were more likely to report food insecurity. Compared with the high-income category, individuals in the lowest income category had a sevenfold higher likelihood of reporting food insecurity. Food-insecure individuals had approximately twofold higher odds of not having fresh FV daily. The odds of not having fresh FV were particularly higher among younger adults (20-34 years) and males. Individuals with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m had 30% higher odds of not having daily FV, with marginal significance (p = 0.05). Educational attainment, rather than income, was a key predictor of FV consumption. Home food production contributed to better food security and higher FV consumption.
In Czechia food insecurity and the limited FV intake relate to younger adults, socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, and those with limited mobility. Lower education attainment, rather than income, predicts limited consumption of FV, underscoring the long-term impact of early education on healthy eating. Given the high prevalence of overweight and obesity, inadequate FV intake presents a public health concern. Policies should aim to improve access to affordable and nutritious foods, and strengthen education on healthy eating habits to mitigate long-term health disparities.
粮食不安全是健康的社会决定因素之一，会影响饮食质量和幸福感。本研究旨在探讨粮食不安全、社会人口和经济因素以及健康饮食特征之间的关联，特别关注捷克在新冠疫情后期新鲜水果和蔬菜（FV）的消费情况。
分析了2022年10月作为捷克纵向调查一部分收集的横断面调查“疫情下的生活”的数据。该研究包括捷克成年人（N = 1499，年龄在20岁及以上）的代表性样本。进行二元逻辑回归以评估粮食不安全、社会人口经济因素和健康饮食因素之间的关联。粮食不安全被评估为经历或担心食物短缺。社会人口经济因素包括性别、年龄、教育程度、收入、子女数量和家庭食物生产。健康饮食因素包括体重指数（BMI）、行动不便和每日新鲜FV摄入量，定义为每天至少吃一次新鲜FV。分别分析了每日新鲜FV摄入量的决定因素。
超过30%的受访者（N = 486）面临粮食不安全风险。20至34岁的个体、教育程度较低的个体以及行动不便的个体更有可能报告粮食不安全。与高收入类别相比，最低收入类别的个体报告粮食不安全的可能性高出七倍。粮食不安全的个体每天没有新鲜FV的几率大约高出两倍。在年轻成年人（20至34岁）和男性中，没有新鲜FV的几率尤其更高。BMI≥25 kg/m²的个体每天没有FV的几率高出30%，具有边际显著性（p = 0.05）。教育程度而非收入是FV消费的关键预测因素。家庭食物生产有助于改善粮食安全和提高FV消费量。
在捷克，粮食不安全和FV摄入量有限与年轻成年人、社会经济弱势群体以及行动不便的个体有关。较低的教育程度而非收入预测了FV的有限消费，凸显了早期教育对健康饮食的长期影响。鉴于超重和肥胖的高患病率，FV摄入不足是一个公共卫生问题。政策应旨在改善获得负担得起的营养食品的机会，并加强关于健康饮食习惯的教育，以减轻长期的健康差距。
