Dietary Intake and Supplement Use Among Saudi Residents during COVID-19 Lockdown

Hanan A. Alfawaz, Nasiruddin Khan, Ghadah A. Aljumah, Syed D. Hussain and Nasser M. Al-Daghri
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Hanan A. Alfawaz: Department of Food Science & Nutrition, College of Food & Agriculture Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia
Nasiruddin Khan: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, College of Applied and Health Sciences, A’ Sharqiyah University, Ibra 400, Oman
Ghadah A. Aljumah: King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh 14611, Saudi Arabia
Syed D. Hussain: Biomarkers of Chronic Diseases, Biochemistry Department, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Nasser M. Al-Daghri: Biomarkers of Chronic Diseases, Biochemistry Department, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-13

Abstract: Healthy diet and supplement use may prove as sustainable strategies to lower COVID-19 infection. Our study investigated the dietary changes before and during lockdown and observed dietary supplements (DS) use among residents in Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study collected data via an online electronic survey questionnaire among males (N = 921) and females (N = 1044) residing in Saudi Arabia, 15 years of age and above. There was a significant decrease in the prevalence of males (before vs. during lockdown) having improved changes in dietary habit (68.6% vs. 65.8%; p = 0.004), which was similar in female participants (69 vs. 73.4% vs. 69%; p < 0.001). The frequency of multivitamin users among COVID-19 participants was significantly lower than non-users (44.4 vs. 55.6; p < 0.003). Male respondents within 26–35 years of age were more likely to use multivitamin supplements than females (30.1 vs. 22.6%; p < 0.05) of same age group. Predictors for DS use were increased age group, income, education level and COVID-19 status. In conclusion, an increase in unhealthy diet behavior was observed among Saudi males and females during the pandemic lockdown and the predictors of DS use included increased age, income, education level and COVID-19 status.

Keywords: diet behavior; dietary supplements; COVID-19; income; education; multivitamin; Saudi Arabia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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