Food purchase and eating behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey of Russian adults. (1st October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ben Hassen, Tarek; El Bilali, Hamid; Allahyari, Mohammad S.; Berjan, Sinisa; Fotina, Oksana
• Is Part Of: Appetite. Volume 165(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10-01
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Coronavirus -- SARS-CoV-2 -- Eating behavior -- Diet -- Food purchases -- Food waste -- Russia; Food habits -- Periodicals; Appetite -- Periodicals; Appetite disorders -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 306.4613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105309
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6663

Abstract

Abstract: The Russian government took strong containment measures to prevent the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with rigid hygiene protocols and restrictions on daily living, such as social distancing and closing businesses and schools. While these measures were crucial to stop the diffusion of SARS-CoV-2, numerous voices highlighted their disorderly psychological, social, and economic impacts on food consumption behavior and lifestyle. Therefore, this paper aims to understand how consumers' food-related habits in Russia have shifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and potential problems and opportunities this might bring for the Russian food system. The study is based on an online cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire administered in Russian through the Survey Monkey platform. A total of 1297 valid answers was collected. The results reveal that diet and food shopping, preparation, and use have been widely affected. Indeed, the survey results suggested (i) a change in the modality of acquiring food, consumers reduced the number of shopping trips and buying more on each trip to minimize store visits; (ii) a surge of stockpiling of non-perishable food items; (iii) a shift toward healthier diets; (iv) an increase in culinary capabilities; (v) a decrease of food waste. The results are expected to inform current emergency plans as well as long-term food-related strategies in Russia.