COVID-19 en Ecuador: potenciales impactos en la seguridad alimentaria y la nutrición

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has affected countries and continents, causing an exceptional level of anguish, social unrest and economic damage. The primary objective of this review is to identify potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security and nutrition in the Ecuadorian population. Methodology: a descriptive and retrospective systematic review was carried out that circumscribes original works and scientific articles referring to the topic of potential impacts on food security and nutrition. Documents and articles included in databases (Scopus, Pubmed, Redalyc, SciELO) from the years 2018 to 2021 are referred to. Results: the main indicators of social impacts were found in Ecuador, the increase in poverty rates, the persistence of the inequalities and actions of the central government in the face of COVID-19. The food insecurity that occurs in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic has a direct impact on an increase in hunger and poverty in Ecuador. In particular, there is evidence of a vicious circle between the pandemic and malnutrition in Ecuador. Indeed, the confinement scenario, in addition to predisposing the population to malnutrition, overweight and obesity, increases the risk of contracting infections, particularly respiratory infections.Conclusion: the measures adopted in the scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic reveal the increase in poverty and the impact on food security as one of the essential challenges to safeguard the health of the population. In addition, it reflects an important alert for the health system, as well as the need to implement public health policies to combat the effects of the double nutritional burden.