Background:
Significant lifestyle changes have been reported after COVID-19 outbreak. The present study aimed at investigating changes in dietary habits in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in an Iranian population sample.
Materials and Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, the dietary habits of Iranian adults were assessed before and during the COVID-19 outbreak. Consumption of different food groups such as meats, dairy, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts was assessed using a digital questionnaire which was shared on social media platforms. For the statistical analysis, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used.
Results:
In this online survey, 1553 questionnaires were completed. The results showed that the reported consumption of protein-rich foods increased (
P
< 0.05), but fish and dairy consumption showed a significant reduction (
P
= 0.006 and <0.001, respectively). There was a significant reduction in reported fast-food consumption (
P
< 0.001). Fruits and vegetables (
P
< 0.001), natural fruit juices (
P
< 0.001), and water (
P
< 0.001) were consumed more frequently. Individuals also consumed more vitamin and mineral supplements (
P
< 0.001) including those containing Vitamin D.
Conclusion:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, participants reported a significant change in their dietary habits and intake of supplements. Higher intakes of meats, protein-rich foods, fruits, vegetables, and nutritional supplements and lower intakes of fish, dairy, and fast foods were reported.
Social media (SM) exerts important effects on health-related behaviors such as eating behaviors (EB). The present study was designed to determine the direct and indirect association of SM addiction with EB in adolescents and young adults through body image (BI). In this cross-sectional study, 12–22 years old adolescents and young adults, with no history of mental disorders or psychiatric medications usage were studied through an online questionnaire shared via SM platforms. Data were gathered about SM addiction, BI, and EB in its sub-scales. A single approach and multi-group path analyses were performed to find possible direct and indirect associations of SM addiction with EB through BI concerns. Overall, 970 subjects, 55.8% boys, were included in the analysis. Both multi-group (β = 0.484, SE = 0.025, P < 0.001) and fully-adjusted (β = 0.460, SE = 0.026, P < 0.001) path analyses showed higher SM addiction is related to disordered BI. Furthermore, the multi-group analysis showed one unit increment in SM addiction score was associated with 0.170 units higher scores for emotional eating (SE = 0.032, P < 0.001), 0.237 for external stimuli (SE = 0.032, P < 0.001), and 0.122 for restrained eating (SE = 0.031, P < 0.001). The present study revealed that SM addiction is associated with EB both directly and also indirectly through deteriorating BI in adolescents and young adults.
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