Participating  institutions 

Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP)

Emory University  

CIIPEC Researchers

Mónica Mazariegos, Principal Investigator.

Fernanda Kroker-Lobos, Co-Investigator

Manuel Ramírez-Zea, Co-Investigator

Abstract 

Guatemala is facing food insecurity due to a synergy of underlying factors, including climate change and socioeconomic consequences related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Food insecurity can lead to poor socio-emotional well being and physical health. Therefore, by leveraging the INCAP Longitudinal Study resourcers, our aim is to assess the change of socioeconomic status and emotional well-being before and after a year with the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with food insecurity status, and to assess the consequences of COVID-19 on health status and health behaviors in the cohort participants. Our results will be used to foster better preparedness to face the COVID-19 crisis on the ones to come and to advocate for using the findings to support the existing food insecurity response in Guatemala and elsewhere. 

General Objective

  This project aims to 1) assess the change of socioeconomic status and emotional well-being before and after COVID-19 on health (physical and mental) and health behaviors in cohort participants of the INCAP Longitudinal Study participants.  

Methodology

Financing 

Project duration

To minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to the communities and by leveraging the study infrastructure we will implement a telephone survey to collect data on food security, socioeconomic status and well-being.

Fogarty International  Center of the U.S National Institutes of Health. 

2021 - 2022.