Changes in fast food intake in Iranian households during the lockdown period caused by COVID‐19 virus emergency, National Food and Nutrition Surveillance

Abstract

Background Fast foods, though very popular, are commonly known as unhealthy foods. However, coronavirus pandemic may have influenced on food choices of the general population. This study investigated the changes in fast food consumption during epidemic lockdown 2020. Materials and Methods This study was part of a nationwide survey having been conducted using a web‐based electronic self‐administered questionnaire. The questionnaire link was extensively distributed among the whole population both through popular social media platforms and by nutrition and health workers of health offices and medical universities of all provinces. The questionnaire included questions about socio‐demographic characteristics, changes in frequency of fast food consumption as compared with before pandemic, and the reasons for these changes. Results A total of 21,290 households took part in the study of whom 89.8% were male‐headed, and almost 74% were from urban areas. Decrease in fast food consumption was reported by 74.8%, while increase in fast food consumption was reported by 2% of the households during the COVID‐19 quarantine. Among those who decreased their fast food consumption, about 82% had completely omitted them from their food baskets. Fear of contamination of fast foods by coronavirus and increase in the number of people at home were the most and the least frequent reasons for decreasing fast food consumption, respectively. Conclusion Fast food consumption has dramatically decreased during the lockdown period in Iranian households. Though it may be considered a pleasant offshoot of disastrous COVID‐19 epidemic, the foods replaced fast foods in Iranian households and the overall health consequences warrant further studies.

A policy-making model for evolutionary SME behavior during a pandemic recession supported on game theory approach

“…They also reported that the consumption of fast foods, packaged frozen foods, and canned food had significantly decreased, while consumption of fruits, vegetables, meat, and healthy foods had moderately increased. Finally, Rabiei et al (2021) reported 74.8% reduction in fast food consumption among Iranian households.…”

Fear of COVID-19 Higher among Food-Insecure Households: A Model-Based Study, Mediated by Perceived Stress among Iranian Populations

“…This questionnaire consists of nine questions with four frequencies of occurrence (most of the time; sometimes; rarely; and never), which are scored on a Likert scale (lowest score = zero, highest score = 3). The total scores obtained from the questionnaire are divided into four categories: food secure (0-1), mild food insecure (2-7), moderate food insecure (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) and severe food insecure (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27). The validity and reliability of the Persian questionnaire has been previously assessed by Mohammadi et al (Cronbach's alpha = 0.85) (22).…”

“…The purpose of the current study was to examine how food insecurity may be associated with fear of COVID-19 (a mental disorder which developed during the pandemic). Although studies have been conducted on the fear of COVID-19 in the areas of food packaging ( 19 ), fast food consumption ( 20 ), or food supply ( 21 ), but the fear of COVID-19 scale has not usually been used. Since mental health and food security have been severely damaged during the epidemic, examining their relationship can provide policymakers with evidence on how to adopt the strategies.…”

COVID-19 epidemic lockdown-induced remarkable decrease in dairy products consumption of Iran population: does it really matter? National Food and Nutrition Surveillance

“…Data about the questionnaire have been comprehensively presented previously [6,10]. Briefly, each respondent had to complete the questionnaire for his/her household.…”

“…Obviously, these changes can be different from one community to another [3]. Some of these changes might be toward healthy eating including adherence to Mediterranean diet, eating more fruits and vegetables [4,5] and decrease in fast foods and alcohol consumption [5,6]. On the other hand, in some communities unhealthy dietary changes such as increased consumption of high calorie snacks and alcohol have been reported [7].…”