‘Whatever we have is what we eat’: How marginalised urban populations in the Philippines and Thailand experienced their food environments, food security and diets through COVID-19
Issued Date
2024-07-01
Resource Type
ISSN
13538292
eISSN
18732054
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85194918035
Journal Title
Health and Place
Volume
88
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Health and Place Vol.88 (2024)
Suggested Citation
O'Meara L., Sison C., Isarabhakdi P., Turner C., Harris J. ‘Whatever we have is what we eat’: How marginalised urban populations in the Philippines and Thailand experienced their food environments, food security and diets through COVID-19. Health and Place Vol.88 (2024). doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103279 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/98672
Title
‘Whatever we have is what we eat’: How marginalised urban populations in the Philippines and Thailand experienced their food environments, food security and diets through COVID-19
Author(s)
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
This qualitative cross-country comparative study investigated the lived experience of marginalised urban populations (unemployed, daily wage earners/street vendors, and internal/external migrants) in Manila (Philippines) and Bangkok (Thailand) on food environments, food security and diets during COVID-19. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals (n = 59) in April–May 2022. Thematic analysis revealed loss of income and strict mobility restrictions (Philippines) as key drivers of dietary changes and hunger. Common narratives included financial hardship, loss of personal agency, and daily survival. Coping strategies included drawing on social networks, cash and food aid, and ‘scheming’ around restrictions. Contextualised crisis policy planning should explicitly consider the lived experience of marginalised populations for future shocks.