Predictors of COVID-19-Related Perceived Improvements in Dietary Health: Results from a US Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in substantial lifestyle changes. No US study has identified predictors of perceived dietary healthfulness changes during the pandemic period. This study included analyses of lifestyle and dietary healthfulness changes using 958 survey responses from US primary household food purchasers. Information was collected related to demographics, COVID-19-related household changes, and health-related habits before and during the pandemic. Binary logistic regression identified predictors of perceived increase in dietary healthfulness during the pandemic period. Overall, 59.8%, 16.4%, and 23.4% of participants reported that their eating habits likely changed, may have changed, and likely did not change, respectively. Of the participants whose dietary habits likely or may have changed, 64.1%, 16.8%, and 19% reported healthier, neither healthier nor less healthy, and less healthy eating habits, respectively. COVID-19-related income loss, more meals consumed with household members in front of the television, an increase in food advertisement exposure, increased perceived stress, and better perceived current health were significant predictors of a perceived increase in dietary healthfulness. Overall, dietary habits were perceived to become healthier during the pandemic. The predictors of perceived improvement in dietary healthfulness were surprising and indicate the need for further study of these factors in crisis and noncrisis situations.

Eating Competence among Brazilian Adults: A Comparison between before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Górnicka et al (2020) also found similar results among Polish adults, who showed increased food consumption and snacking during restrictive measures, especially among those with higher BMI [ 3 ]. Similar results were noticed by Cosgrove and Wharton (2021), who found that participants most often reported purchasing more food in various food categories [ 36 ]. In France, the nutritional quality of the diet was also higher before the lockdown than during the pandemic [ 10 ].…”

“…Food insecurity is inversely associated with diet quality [ 36 ]. A recent study showed that females, with lower education and incomes, have higher overweight and obesity levels in Brazil.…”

“…Restrictive measures conduct to irregular eating patterns and frequent snacking, associated with higher caloric ingestion and risk of excess weight [ 12 , 41 ]. Since quarantine is associated with the interruption of the routine, this could result in boredom and stress, associated with a greater energy intake [ 13 , 36 , 41 ]. In our sample, individuals who increased food consumption showed decreased EC (total and all components).…”

“…Lohse et al (2010) showed that, among elderly Spanish, EC was positively associated with greater adherence to a Mediterranean diet, which is considered a healthy eating pattern [ 52 ]. Cosgrove and Wharton (2021) also noticed positive changes among US adults since participants reported improvements in dietary healthfulness during the pandemic [ 36 ]. There are some possible explanations for these findings: the greater possibility of preparing a meal at home, more free time to take care of health during home confinement, or food choice motives.…”

“…Cosgrove and Wharton (2021), in an online survey with 958 US respondents, found changes concerning food shopping from grocery stores, farmer’s markets, sit-down restaurants, and fast-food restaurants. All have decreased and increases were observed in online grocery shopping and ordering takeout [ 36 ]. Usually, a turbulent lifestyle and less time in everyday life are barriers to incorporating a healthy diet in daily life.…”