Impacts of COVID-19 Lockdown on Food Ordering Patterns among Youths in China: The COVID-19 Impact on Lifestyle Change Survey

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Limited studies have focused on how the COVID-19 outbreak and thereby lockdown had affected the youth’s food ordering patterns, which was associated with their dietary behaviors and could have longer term impacts on their later-life health status if the trend persists. This study aimed to evaluate changes in food ordering patterns among youths in China after the COVID-19 outbreak. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The data were obtained from a national retrospective survey (COINLICS) conducted in early May 2020 via social media platforms in China among more than 10,000 youth participants at 3 educational levels. Participants reported their basic sociodemographic characteristics, weight status, and lifestyles including food ordering patterns. We described and compared their weight status and food ordering patterns before COVID-19 (January) and under lockdown (February). <b><i>Results:</i></b> We observed significant changes in youths’ weight status and food ordering patterns under lockdown. A significant increase was observed in the prevalence of overweight/obesity (13.5%–17.0%) and obesity (8.7–10.8%), which varied by sex and educational level. Overall, the average weekly frequency of food ordering among the Chinese students had declined, with the largest decrease seen among graduate students, followed by undergraduate and high/vocational school students. Regardless of types of food, the percentage of participating youths who started ordering under lockdown was all lower than that of youths who stopped ordering. Among those who had still ordered foods under lockdown, a larger percentage of female than male high/vocational school students ordered barbecue/grill and cakes/pastries; no significant differences were found across the educational levels. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The participating youths’ food ordering patterns had significantly changed during the COVID-19 lockdown, with heterogeneities observed to different extents between sexes and across educational levels. Our findings would inform policy makers and health professionals of these changes in time, for better policy making and public health practice.

Impact of Implementing and Lifting COVID-19 Lockdown on Study and Physical Activity Patterns Among Youths in China

“…This study was based on the COVID-19 Impact on Lifestyle Change Survey (COINLICS), a national retrospective survey distributed via social media platforms in early May 2020 using a snowball sampling method. [4][5][6][7] More than 10000 youth participants at three educational levels (high school, college, and graduate school) in China have voluntarily reported their basic socio-demographic information and routine lifestyles in the months before (December 23, 2019 to January 23, 2020), during (January 24 to February 23, 2020), and after the COVID-19 lockdown (April 8 to May 8, 2020). The study was approved by the Sichuan University Medical Ethical Review Board (KS2020414).…”

Children and adolescents’ positive youth development qualities and internet addiction during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study in China

“…The outbreak of COVID-19 may further accelerate Internet use and its related problems in children and adolescents (11)(12)(13)(14). In January 2020, the Ministry of Education of China issued notices to postpone the opening of spring semester of all primary and secondary schools, and required students to stay at home and study through the Internet, which lasted for more than 3 months.…”

Use of online food retail platforms throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic and associated diet‐related chronic disease risk factors: A systematic review of emerging evidence

“…Higher intakes of processed foods, refined grains, and sugar‐sweetened beverages negate lower intakes of minimally processed foods, and this has been observed in the literature 101 . Moreover, a study revealed that youth in China were ordering spicy hot pot meals, fried foods or hamburgers, and cakes/pastries the most via meal delivery applications during COVID‐19 102 . This again highlights that while there is a great potential for healthy choices to be made through online food retail platforms, there is a greater propensity towards unhealthier choices.…”

“…101 Moreover, a study revealed that youth in China were ordering spicy hot pot meals, fried foods or hamburgers, and cakes/pastries the most via meal delivery applications during COVID-19. 102 This again highlights that while there is a great potential for healthy choices to be made through online food retail platforms, there is a greater propensity towards unhealthier choices.…”