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International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 1/2024

Open Access 06-03-2023 | COVID-19 | Brief Report

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

Authors: Leon Booth, Joseph Alvin Santos, Annet C. Hoek, Jacqui Webster, Simone Pettigrew

Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

Understanding health behaviour changes during the COVID-19 pandemic can assist in developing strategies to promote healthy lifestyles at such times. The aim of this exploratory study was to examine whether the frequency of consuming unhealthy foods and beverages changed during lockdown and whether certain population subgroups were more likely to make such changes.

Method

An online survey was administered to a national sample of 4022 Australian adults (51% female, mean age 48 years). Generalised linear models with generalised estimating equations were used to identify whether demographic characteristics (age, gender, education, presence of children in the household, number of people in the household) and beliefs related to COVID-19 were associated with changes in the frequency of consuming alcohol, sweet snacks, salty snacks, and sugary beverages from pre to during lockdown.

Results

Overall, the frequency of consuming the four assessed unhealthy products did not change during lockdown. However, being male and having children at home were consistently associated with unhealthy changes, whereas believing that alcohol or unhealthy diets would exacerbate COVID-19 severity was linked to a decreased frequency of consuming these products respectively. Age, education, and living with more people were also associated with changes in the frequency of consuming some product categories.

Conclusion

During lockdown, certain population subgroups appeared to be at increased risk of more frequent consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages. Believing certain consumption habits are linked to adverse health impacts of COVID was found to reduce frequency of consumption of related products, presenting a potential focus for future public health actions.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Population Subgroups at Risk of Unhealthy Changes in Food and Beverage Consumption During COVID-19 Lockdowns
Authors
Leon Booth
Joseph Alvin Santos
Annet C. Hoek
Jacqui Webster
Simone Pettigrew
Publication date
06-03-2023
Publisher
Springer US
Keyword
COVID-19
Published in
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 1/2024
Print ISSN: 1070-5503
Electronic ISSN: 1532-7558
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-023-10165-2

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