Balanced diet and daily calorie consumption: Consumer attitude during the COVID-19 pandemic from an emerging economy

Abstract

This article tries to explore consumer attitudes regarding a balanced diet and daily calorie intake monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. It has become vital to boost people’s immunity because of reoccurring diseases such as COVID-19, Ebola, and other chronic diseases such as diabetes, thyroid disease, etc. Healthy diets are important for supporting immune systems and keeping track of daily calorie consumption is an accompaniment to this. The research on attitudes toward a balanced diet is reviewed in this empirical study. Researchers employed a tri-component attitude model to assess consumer attitudes about a balanced diet and to track daily calorie consumption. A sample of 400 respondents was surveyed and data were collected with a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using the structural equation modelling technique. The majority of respondents were found to lack declarative knowledge of both a balanced diet and daily calorie consumption. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer attitudes about a healthy diet and daily calorie intake were effectively evaluated using beliefs, affection, and intentions. The repercussions for the government and business community were discussed. This study also evaluates the usefulness of the tri-component attitude model in the Indian context.