Are beliefs and attitudes about COVID-19 associated with self-perceived changes in food consumption? Results from a nationwide survey during lockdown

Abstract

This study aimed to understand how beliefs and attitudes regarding COVID-19 are associated with self-perceived changes in food consumption during lockdown between March 19 and May 2, 2020. We conducted a cross-sectional study with a non-probabilistic weighted sample of the Portuguese population. Data were collected using an online survey and telephone interviews. The association between agreement with sentences about food and COVID-19 and perceived changes in food consumption were assessed by multinomial logistic regression models. Overall, 5858 citizens were included, with a mean age of 38.2 (17.3) years. Exclusive agreement with the belief “SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted by food” (27.5%) was associated with decreased odds of perceived positive changes (e.g., increased consumption of fruit and vegetables). Agreement only with the attitudinal sentence “I started to consume foods that may protect against COVID-19” (11.9%) was associated with positive perceived consumption changes (e.g., increasing fruit and vegetables, and decreasing soft drinks and snacks). Cumulative agreement (with both sentences; 10.6%) was also associated with mostly positive food consumption changes. Specific beliefs and attitudes regarding COVID-19 and food are associated with self-perceived changes in food consumption. Longitudinal research is needed to understand how beliefs and/or attitudes about the role of food in infectious diseases act as determinants of eating behavior modification.

Population Subgroups at Risk of Unhealthy Changes in Food and Beverage Consumption During COVID-19 Lockdowns

“…Consistent with international research [21,34] and the Health Belief Model [22], respondents who recognised the potential for unhealthy foods/beverages or alcohol to increase the risk of severe COVID-19 were less likely to increase their frequency of consuming these products respectively. This suggests a role for greater education to inform the public of how health-related risks can be reduced during lockdowns by managing lifestyle factors, such as by consuming healthy diets and reducing alcohol use.…”

“…While the findings for age, gender, and education have varied across countries [1,10,19,20], it has been proposed the differences may be due to variations in working from home, employment certainty, and childcare responsibilities during lockdowns, which can differ according to one or more of these demographic characteristics [18,19]. In terms of COVID-related beliefs, believing that a healthy diet will reduce the risk of being infected with COVID-19 has been linked to positive dietary changes during lockdown [20,21]. This is aligned with the Health Belief Model that emphasises the importance of perceived susceptibility to negative outcomes when making health-related decisions [22].…”

Fisheries and aquaculture products consumption in France: when the Covid-19 crisis did not lead to more sustainable purchases

“…Nonetheless, noticeable changes in consumption behaviour have been observed in Europe following the pandemic. For example, in Italy, Portugal, Denmark, Poland, Austria, United Kingdom, Germany, and Slovenia, the shopping frequency was reduced together with an increase of long shelf life product consumption as well as more processed products (Cavallo et al, 2020;Janssen et al, 2021;Martins et al, 2022;Skotnicka et al, 2021). Thus, observing similar phenomena concerning FAP consumption could be expected in France.…”

“…The fear of contamination by the food consumed (Martins et al, 2022) and in the sale points together with heavy movement restrictions during the lockdowns are breeding grounds for a shift in consumption habits (Di Renzo et al, 2020;Gorska et al, 2021;Janssen et al, 2021;Palau-Saumell et al, 2021). In addition to this restrictive and anxiety-inducing context, fresh FAPs are very sensitive to logistical constraints such as short shelf life and a strict necessity to be gently handled and transported.…”

Attitudes toward the COVID-19 pandemic and its relationship to mental state among Russian teachers, students and schoolchildren

“…Approximately half of respondents across various countries demonstrated at least a moderate level of believing in various conspiracies [9]. Some people believed that special food might protect them from COVID-19 infection [10]. Some were afraid of vaccination (anti-vax attitudes) [11], and others were against lockdown because of economic issues [12].…”