Changes in a Mediterranean lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic among elderly Italians: an analysis of gender and socioeconomic inequalities in the "LOST in Lombardia" study. (4th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bonaccio, Marialaura; Gianfagna, Francesco; Stival, Chiara; Amerio, Andrea; Bosetti, Cristina; Cavalieri d'Oro, Luca; Odone, Anna; Stuckler, David; Zucchi, Alberto; Gallus, Silvano; Iacoviello, Licia
• Is Part Of: International journal of food sciences and nutrition. Volume 73:Number 5(2022)
• Page Start: 683
• Page End: 692
• Publication Date: 2022-07-04
• Subjects: COVID-19 pandemic -- Mediterranean diet -- lifestyles -- elderly -- general population; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 641.3
• DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2022.2040009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-7486

Abstract

Abstract: Little is known on potential socioeconomic and gender disparities in dietary changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a telephone-based survey during fall 2020 on 4400 participants representative of the population aged 65–99 years living in Lombardy, Italy. Changes in a Mediterranean lifestyle were assessed retrospectively by scoring modifications in the consumption of nine food groups and five diet-related behaviours compared to 2019. A Mediterranean COVID-19 Pandemic Score (MedCovid-19 Score) was computed, reflecting changes during pandemic, with increasing values indicating improvements in line with a Mediterranean lifestyle. Predictors of favourable dietary changes (MedCovid-19 Score ≥ 1) were education (odds ratio [OR] = 1.52; 95% confidence interval 1.19–1.95 for postgraduate vs. lower), wealth (OR = 1.52; 1.14–2.02 for high vs. low) and skilled manual occupations (OR = 1.57; 1.28–1.92 vs. white collars). Women were more likely than men to move away from a Mediterranean lifestyle (OR = 1.86; 1.58–2.21). In conclusions, changes towards a Mediterranean lifestyle were disproportionately distributed across gender and socioeconomic strata.