Was COVID-19 pandemic anxiety reflected on nutritional habits in adults?
ISSN: 0034-6659
Article publication date: 28 November 2022
Issue publication date: 25 May 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the reflection of COVID-19 pandemic anxiety experienced in adults on nutritional habits during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted with 600 adults aged between 19 and 64 years. The general characteristics of the individuals, nutritional habits, use of dietary supplements and COVID-19 pandemic anxiety before and during the pandemic period were questioned via a Web-based questionnaire. COVID-19-related anxiety was assessed using The COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S) and The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 24.0.
Findings
In this study, 49.8% of the participants stated that their appetite and food consumption amount increased during the pandemic period. The rate of use of dietary supplements among individuals was found to be 40%. It was observed that the mean body weight and body mass index increased significantly in both genders during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been determined that anxiety about COVID-19 is higher in individuals and women who start using nutritional support during the pandemic period. The total C19P-S and STAI scores of those who started using a dietary supplement during the pandemic were significantly higher than those who did not use a dietary supplement. Similarly, those whose eating habits changed positively and those who bought more packaged products had higher C19P-S scale mean scores (p < 0.05).
Originality/value
During the COVID-19 period, it is important to reduce the anxiety levels of individuals, provide psychological support, raise awareness of adequate and balanced nutrition and the correct use of dietary supplements to adapt to the new lifestyle.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank all participants of the study.
Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Citation
Açar, Y. and Yıldıran, H. (2023), "Was COVID-19 pandemic anxiety reflected on nutritional habits in adults?", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 53 No. 4, pp. 726-737. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-08-2022-0276
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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