Parental Perspectives of the Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Food-Related Behaviors: Systematic Review

Abstract

Home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by dramatic changes in household food dynamics that can significantly influence health. This systematic literature review presents parental perspectives of the impact of COVID-19 lockdown (up to 30 June 2022) on food preparation and meal routines, as well as other food-related behaviors, capturing both favorable and unfavorable changes in the household food environment. Themes and trends are identified and associations with other lifestyle factors are assessed. Overall, families enjoyed more time together around food, including planning meals, cooking, and eating together. Eating more diverse foods and balanced home-cooked meals (e.g., fresh fruit and vegetables) was combined with overeating and increased snacking (e.g., high-calorie snacks, desserts, and sweets), as parents became more permissive towards food; however, food insecurity increased among families with the lowest income. Adoption of meal planning skills and online shopping behavior emerged alongside behaviors aimed at self-sufficiency, such as bulk purchasing and stockpiling of non-perishable processed foods. These results are an important first step in recognizing how this pandemic may be affecting the family food environment, including low-income families. Future obesity prevention and treatment initiatives, but also ongoing efforts to address food management, parental feeding practices, and food insecurity, can account for these changes moving forward.

Czech Consumers’ Preference for Organic Products in Online Grocery Stores during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Our research shows that most respondents shop for groceries online in order to save time, have a wider choice of products and due to more convenient and easier searching. This statement is consistent with the views of many authors (e.g., [ 49 , 50 , 51 ]) and such progress can be expected in the future [ 73 ], because digitalization plays a crucial role [ 74 ]. Even some studies found that virtual reality technology is effective for online shopping [ 75 ].…”

Vitamin D Levels in the Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Periods and Related Confinement at Pediatric Age

“…On the other hand, however, these virtuous changes were combined with overeating and increased snacking on high-calorie snacks, desserts, and sweets. Moreover, food insecurity increased among the lowest-income families [20]. Altogether, all these elements are in agreement with the increased incidence of overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus detected during the lockdown confinement [21].…”

“…Policymakers should consider the potential health consequences of future prolonged pediatric age individuals' confinement, including their exposure to sunlight and opportunities for outdoor activities. Obesity prevention and treatment initiatives, as well as ongoing efforts to address nutritional management, parental feeding practices, and food insecurity, may account for these changes in the future [20]. Moreover, since optimal serum levels of vitamin D for bone and general health may not be the same and are also likely to fluctuate with life stages, race, ethnicity, and the specific measures used for assessing a wide variety of physiological processes, further studies appear necessary to determine which are the optimal indications for vitamin D supplementation [2,3].…”

The Increase in Childhood Obesity and Its Association with Hypertension during Pandemics

“…The availability of food at home, combined with boredom and emotional triggers, can increase the likelihood of consuming high-calorie, low-nutrient foods. Limited access to fresh and nutritious meals and reliance on processed and convenience foods can further exacerbate unhealthy eating habits during periods of crisis [ 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”