USA (Washington Insider Magazine) – The quick spread of SARS-CoV-2 triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, drastically altered American eating and shopping habits. Lockdowns around the country and the closure of eateries and cafeterias drove many people to shop at supermarkets instead of eating out, which disrupted the supply chains for agriculture and the availability of basic goods.
Switching from processed food to home cooking
The American diet was heavily criticized before the pandemic for its high percentage of processed foods and meals consumed outside the home. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans revealed that consumption patterns did not follow guidelines. On the other hand, some research suggested a shift toward store meals with more calories after restaurants were forced to close due to the pandemic, while other research suggested that diet quality may have improved.
Analyzing Dietary Changes
According to NewsMedicalNet, researchers investigated dietary changes during the pandemic using household-level purchase data from the NielsenIQ consumer panel. They employed two indicators: the Berry Index, measuring food diversity, and the USDA Score, assessing adherence to dietary guidelines. These indicators evaluated changes in food purchases following the pandemic’s onset.
Increased Food Diversity and Diet Quality
The study revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic led to notable changes in food-purchasing behaviors. The Berry Index showed a temporary increase in food diversity by up to 2.6% compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the USDA Score indicated an 8.5% increase in diet quality during the same period. These improvements persisted for up to six months after school closures, suggesting a sustained enhancement in dietary habits.
Demographic Variations in Dietary Improvements
Although most households exhibited similar dietary patterns, some demographic groups experienced smaller increases in diet quality and diversity. Households with young children, those without a vehicle, and low-income households saw less significant improvements.
Study Limitations
The study acknowledged several limitations, including potential biases from stockpiling and food price inflation during the pandemic. The diet quality scores, particularly the USDA Score, may require validation with more robust measures like the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Additionally, the findings were based solely on food-at-home purchase data, not accounting for out-of-home food intake.
Conclusion: Sustained Dietary Benefits
The study concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic led to an initial increase in household food diversity and healthfulness, which stabilized over time. The Berry Index indicated a short-term rise in food diversity, while the USDA Score showed a significant but temporary improvement in diet quality. These findings highlight the pandemic’s potential to positively influence dietary habits in U.S. households.
