Eating behavior and food purchases during the COVID-19 lockdown: A cross-sectional study among adults in the Netherlands

Abstract

On March 15, 2020, the Dutch Government implemented COVID-19 lockdown measures. Although self-quarantine and social-distancing measures were implemented, restrictions were less severe compared to several other countries. The aim of this study was to assess changes in eating behavior and food purchases among a representative adult sample in the Netherlands (n = 1030), five weeks into lockdown. The results show that most participants did not change their eating behaviors (83.0%) or food purchases (73.3%). However, socio-demographic differences were observed among those that reported changes during lockdown. For example, participants with overweight (OR = 2.26, 95%CI = 1.24–4.11) and obesity (OR = 4.21, 95%CI = 2.13–8.32) were more likely to indicate to eat unhealthier during lockdown compared to participants with a healthy weight. Those with a high educational level (OR = 2.25, 95%-CI = 1.03–4.93) were also more likely to indicate to eat unhealthier during lockdown compared to those with a low educational level. Older participants were more likely to indicate to experience no differences in their eating behaviors compared to those of younger age, who were more likely to indicate that they ate healthier (OR = 1.03, 95%CI = 1.01–1.04) as well as unhealthier (OR = 1.04, 95%CI = 1.02–1.06) during lockdown. Participants with obesity were more likely to indicate to purchase more chips/snacks (OR = 2.79, 95%CI = 1.43–5.45) and more nonalcoholic beverages (OR = 2.74, 95%CI = 1.36–5.50) during lockdown in comparison with those with a healthy weight. Of those that used meal delivery services before, 174 (29.5%) indicated to use meal delivery services more frequently during lockdown. Although the results confirm the persistence of dietary routines, profound socio-demographic differences were observed for those that did report changes. Especially for individuals with overweight and obesity, the lockdown has taken its toll on healthy dietary choices. Further research should unravel underlying mechanisms for these observations.

Systematic review of the effects of pandemic confinements on body weight and their determinants

“…Furthermore, in a study conducted in the Netherlands, it was reported that overweight and obese individuals found it more difficult to make healthy food choices. More savory snacks and non-alcoholic beverages were purchased and consumed at home (35.6%) because of more leisure time (31.5%) and boredom (21.9%) during the lockdown (92) .…”

Lifestyle Habits and Mental Health in Light of the Two COVID-19 Pandemic Waves in Sweden, 2020

“…Conversely, in Italy, total PA decreased significantly during the first COVID-19 wave as compared to before, in all age groups and especially in men [ 9 ]. Moreover, several studies have shown small changes in dietary habits [ 10 , 11 , 12 ], while others have reported an increase in unhealthy food intake, overeating, and snacking between meals [ 10 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Similarly, studies have indicated that alcohol consumption has not changed during home confinement [ 13 , 16 ], while others have reported increased alcohol consumption [ 15 , 17 , 18 ].…”

What Can Drive Consumers’ Dining-Out Behavior in China and Korea during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

“…So far, most of the studies have mainly focused on consumers' food consumption behaviors during the lockdown [5,[15][16][17], and many scholars only investigated changes of consumers' traveling behaviors under the pandemic [1,18], but insufficient studies have investigated how people's daily food consumption behavior has been affected after the lockdown or how their behavioral patterns of dining out have been changed under the new normal context. Therefore, in the light of this new context, we intended to examine whether consumers have really adapted to the new normal life, and how their food consumption behaviors have been influenced by factors such as subjective norms, perceived physical and psychological risk, enjoyment, restaurant precautionary measures, and so on.…”