Eating Habits of Adults During the Quarantine

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Health Behavior; Eating Behavior
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Assessment of Dietary Changes in Adults in the Quarantine

Detailed Description

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.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 673

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Cyprus
  • Nicosia, Cyprus
    • Online

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 80 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults in Quarantine in their homes due to the COVID-19 outbreak

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being between the ages of 18-80
• Spending most of their time at home in quarantine because of the Coronavirus outbreak not to contract the virus
• Having internet access
• Being able to read and comprehend English language

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having any mental impairment or degeneration
• Having any life-threatening health condition

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Intervention / Treatment

Adults in quarantine due to the virus outbreak; Individuals over the age of 18 who spend most of their time at home in social isolation because of the Coronavirus to prevent the risk of contracting the virus

Other: Assessment of Dietary Changes in Adults in the Quarantine; The online survey will help to collect demographic data from the volunteers. Personal information and contact details, such as email, will not be asked. The survey will include questions about any increase or decrease in the consumption of main meals, snacks and fluid intake. If the participants of the study have observed changes in their dietary pattern since the beginning of the quarantine, details of these changes, such as an increase in the amount of main meal consumption, will be questioned.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Changes in the Eating Habits of Adults during the Quarantine	This online survey will provide us with an idea of whether or not social isolation due to a pandemic will affect the usual eating patterns of adults either because of psychological stress or economic burden. It will also help us understand the context of these changes	One month

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Eliz Arter
• Collaborators: Cyprus Science University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Eliz Arter, Eastern Mediterranean University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 10, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 31, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): May 31, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 6, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 6, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): April 9, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 22, 2020
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 21, 2020
• Last Verified: July 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Coronavirus; COVID-19; Nutrition; Social Isolation; Eating Habits; Quarantine
• Other Study ID Numbers: Nutr2020

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No