Evaluation of Changing Dietary Habits of Adults During COVID-19 Pandemic Period

Abstract

Objective: It was aimed to evaluate the changes in the dietary habits of adult individuals during the Coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic. Methods: The research was conducted on 970 adults, aged 18-65 years. An online questionnaire form including questions about socio-demographic characteristics and healthy lifestyle behaviors (smoking and alcohol consumption, exercising at least 150 minutes a week) was performed. Results: The mean age of the individuals was 24.75+-7.82 years. It was determined that the rate of those who did not exercise for at least 150 minutes a week before the pandemic (56.4%) increased during the pandemic (70.4%) (p<0.001). Compared to the pre-pandemic period, there was an increase in the rate of individuals consuming two main meals a day and a decrease in those consuming three main meals a day during the pandemic. There was an increase in those who consumed three or more snacks a day. In the pandemic, individuals reported that they consumed more home-cooked meals (50.8%), healthier (40.6%) and regular (31.2%) meals. The main foods consumed by individuals in order to increase immunity during the pandemic were fruits (50.6%), meat-chicken-fish (39.2%) and honey (37.6%). The rate of those who thought that they had an adequate and balanced diet was higher among those who had ≥3 main meals and 2 snacks, those who did not skip main meals, those aged 50 years and older, and those who worked from home (p<0.05). Conclusion: The situation created by the pandemic and restrictions has changed the dietary habits and lifestyle of individuals.

Keywords

• dietary habits
• covid-19
• adults