COVID-19 Research Highlights Link Between Food Insecurity and Malnutrition

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by the Faculty of Health Sciences, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, has shed light on the critical relationship between food insecurity and malnutrition in vulnerable populations. The study, which analyzed 570 articles on the food insecurity-malnutrition nexus, reveals a significant growth in research output since 2009, with the USA dominating production but showing a strong trend towards international collaborations. The study concludes that the field has great potential for more equitable partnerships and highlights the impact of health crises like COVID-19 on food insecurity and malnutrition.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed 570 articles on food insecurity and malnutrition, revealing an annual growth rate of 8.87% since 1991, with a significant surge in research output after 2009.
  • The USA dominated research production, with 232 studies, but 47.89% of studies involved international collaborations, primarily targeting low- and middle-income populations.
  • Thematic shifts in research focus include an increased emphasis on HIV/AIDS (post-2009) and COVID-19 (post-2019) alongside persistent focus on poverty and inequality.
  • The study concludes that the field shows strong cross-border collaboration, highlighting opportunities for more equitable partnerships and a greater focus on addressing food insecurity and malnutrition.
  • Research on food insecurity and malnutrition is shaped by both structural drivers (poverty, inequality) and health crises (HIV, COVID-19).
  • The average citation rate was 28.0 per article, indicating a high level of research impact.

Statistics:

  • 570 articles were analyzed in the study on food insecurity and malnutrition.
  • The annual growth rate of research output was 8.87% since 1991.
  • 232 studies were produced by researchers in the USA.
  • 47.89% of studies involved international collaborations.
  • The average citation rate per article was 28.0.
  • The peak year of research output was 2020, with 55 articles published.

Sources:

  • Faculty of Health Sciences, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics.
  • NewsRx, October 20, 2025.
  • Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, Volume 31, Issue 5, 2025.
  • Wiley, 111 River St, Hoboken, NJ, 07030-5774.
  • Onlinelibrary.wiley.com (Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice).