Eating Habits of Adults During the Quarantine

Eating Behavior, Health Behavior

Coronavirus, Quarantine, Social Isolation, Eating Habits, Nutrition, COVID-19

The aim of this study is to assess the changes in the dietary habits of adults spending most of their time in their homes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Eating habits of individuals may vary greatly depending on several factors such as geographic location, socioeconomic conditions, education level, knowledge about nutrition and psychological factors. Since this period of quarantine is economically and psychologically stressful, we hypothesise that individuals may alter their usual eating habits.

Since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the latest Coronavirus outbreak as a 'pandemic', most countries had to take strict measures such as travel bans and lock-downs to prevent the spread of the virus. Unfortunately, this unexpected situation has caused many people around to globe to panic buy and stock up on food for an unpredictable period of time as it cannot be estimated when the outbreak will be controlled. Nutrition plays an important role in our everyday life; it makes up a large part of a healthy life, it brings individuals together to socialise around a table and sometimes it can be used in times of stress as a coping mechanism leading to emotional eating. In this study it is hypothesised that adults may tempt to change their everyday eating habits due to social isolation. Humans are generally sociable beings and this period of social isolation will psychologically pressurise humans and may cause some of them to eat more in quantity or frequency as a mechanism to cope with the growing fear and anxiety. On the other hand, it is also hypothesised that, some individuals may prefer healthier ways of eating, such as consuming more fruits and vegetables, drinking more water etc, believing that if they can improve their immunity they will be less likely to contract the virus. The study may also show that some individuals will be highly impacted economically and this will alter their dietary preferences. Within the scope of this study an online survey consisting of 20 questions will be asked to volunteers who are over the age of 18 and spend most of their time at home in social isolation because of the Coronavirus outbreak. The survey does not include any personal questions but only general demographic data including gender, age range, the country they are currently residing, quarantine duration and whether or not they have observed any changes in their eating patterns since the beginning of this period. In some questions, observed changes, if any, are further investigated to include details such as increase/decrease in portion size, frequency of meals etc.

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