Altered nutrition behavior during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in young adults

The COVID-19 pandemic and the implemented lockdown strongly impact on everyone's daily life. Stressful situations are known to alter eating habits and increase the risk for obesity. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effect of the lockdown measures on nutrition behavior among young adults.

In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 1964 voluntary participants from Bavarian universities. All participants were asked to complete an online questionnaire, semi-quantitatively evaluating the amount and type of food before and during pandemic lockdown. Study subjects were inquired to give information about acquisition and food procurement. The primary outcome was the change in food amount, secondary outcomes included alterations of food composition and procurement.

Our study cohort (mean age 23.3 ± 4.0 years, 28.5% male) had a mean body mass index of 22.1 ± 4.5 kg/m². The overall food amount increased in 31.2% of participants (n = 610) during lockdown and decreased in 16.8% (n = 328). A multinominal regression model revealed that an increased food intake was less likely in male participants (OR, 0.7 [CI 0.6-0.9]) and more likely with increasing BMI (OR, 1.4 [CI 1.3-2.0]), increased sports activity (OR, 1.3 [CI 1.2-1.8]), augmented mental stress (OR 1.4 [1.1-1.7]), and an alteration of alcohol consumption (reduced alcohol amount, OR, 1.4 [CI 1.1-1.7], increased alcohol, OR, 1.9 [CI 1.4-2.5]). Increase in food intake was mainly triggered by consumption of bread (increased in 46.8%, n = 284) and confectionary (increased in 64.4%, n = 389).

The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown significantly affected eating habits in young adults. Further investigation to evaluate long-term effects on weight change and comorbidities are warranted.