CHANGES IN EATING HABITS OF YOUNG ADULTS BEFORE AND DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN: A SURVEY

Authors

Keywords:

COVID-19; First-Wave; Pandemic; Young Adults; Food.

Abstract

COVID-19 has drastically changed the lifestyle of people worldwide and routines have been modified. This survey is focused on understanding the changes in the physical and mental health as well as eating habits of the young adult population in Kerala, owing to the first wave of the pandemic induced lockdown; and compare it with the pre-lockdown conditions. A total of 616 volunteers participated in the study. It was conducted using online questionnaires circulated among young adults in the age group of 18-35, where 91.2% participants belonged to the first age group of 18-25 years. Participants responded to multiple choice and short answer questions on their lifestyle changes during the lockdown (March-July, 2020). Statistical analysis was done to evaluate the significance (p<0.05). The results depicted lesser consumption of restaurant and street foods. Meal consumption was more orderly compared to the pre-pandemic situation. Though, there was a hike in the amount of snack consumption (23%) and frequency (10%) during this period, there was trend towards consumption of fresh fruits from 29.7 to 37.6%. Similarly, preference for salty packaged snacks decrease from 62.6% to 32.1%. People opined that more time was spend on work-out and to stay fit, indicating the importance of healthy life-style. Preference for immune boosting foods, organic farming and organic foods, also showed an increase. However, the study group informed that the anxieties and mental stress increased during lockdown.

Author Biographies

Nair Chithra Harinarayanan, Student

Post Graduation in Food Science and Technology with 2nd Rank from Kerala University of Fisheries & Ocean Studies (KUFOS),

Graduation in B.Voc. Food Processing Technology with 1st rank from St. Teresa's College (Autonomous), Affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.

Amala Tony, Student

P.G Student in Food Science & Technology

Current Organization/ Institute: Kerala University of Fisheries & Ocean Studies

 Institute Email & Contact: utypanangad@kufos.ac.in, 0484-27003781

A. Aswathy, Student

P.G Student in Food Science & Technology

Current Organization/ Institute: Kerala University of Fisheries & Ocean Studies

 Institute Email & Contact: utypanangad@kufos.ac.in, 0484-27003781

Jamshad, Student

P.G Student in Food Science & Technology

Current Organization/ Institute: Kerala University of Fisheries & Ocean Studies

 Institute Email & Contact: utypanangad@kufos.ac.in, 0484-27003781

Dr. Maya Raman, Student

Associate Professor in Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Ocean Science and Technology, KUFOS

Current Organization/ Institute: Kerala University of Fisheries & Ocean Studies (KUFOS)

 Institute Email & Contact: utypanangad@kufos.ac.in, 0484-27003781

Downloads

Published

23.06.2022

How to Cite

[1]
Nair Chithra Harinarayanan, Amala Tony, A. Aswathy, Jamshad, and Dr. Maya Raman, “CHANGES IN EATING HABITS OF YOUNG ADULTS BEFORE AND DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN: A SURVEY”, IJREST, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 1–11, Jun. 2022.

Issue

Section

Articles