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ME/CFS Science
@mecfsscience.org

1) 🇳🇿 A survey in New Zealand among 333 ME/CFS and Long Covid patients found that half of the respondents had experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.

ME/CFS Science
@mecfsscience.org

2) Food insecurity was defined as ‘sometimes’ or ‘never’ being able to afford to eat properly, or ‘sometimes’ or ‘always’ having food run out, eating less, eating less variety due to cost, relying on others for food or using food grants/banks.

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ME/CFS Science
@mecfsscience.org

3) Food insecurity was more common in young people and increased with illness severity, but among the very severe, it was actually lower (potentially due to higher support and provision in this group).

ME/CFS Science
@mecfsscience.org

4) Financial hardship was one reason for food insecurity, as only 7% of the respondents were able to work full-time. Patients described how they had to reduce spending on food because of their medical expenses: "I have to balance my grocery shopping with my health bills."

ME/CFS Science
@mecfsscience.org

5) But this wasn't the only barrier to good nutrition: physical limitations, such as not being able to go shopping or prepare meals, also affected patients. Many felt guilty for relying on family, friends, or neighbours for their groceries or meals.

ME/CFS Science
@mecfsscience.org

6) One person, for example, explained: "Rely heavily on family – not able to work, so had to move into my parents’ home and rely on them to provide food." Others were reliant on flatmates, neighbours, or soup delivered by the ME Respite charity.