Changes in Snacking Patterns during COVID-19 Lockdown in Adults from Mumbai City, India

Alifia Bhol¹*, Neha Sanwalka², Tasneem Abbas Kapasi³, Sherebanu Zuzar Piplodwala¹, Laveeza Mohammed Ali Ansari⁴, Fatema Mudar Katawala¹ and Tasneem Abdulkadir Bhandary¹

¹Department of Dietetics, NutriAl Diet Clinic,Mumbai, India.

²Department of Research and Statistics, NutriCanvas, Mumbai, India.

³Department of Food, Science and Nutrition, College of Home Science Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai, India.

⁴Department of Food, Science and Nutrition, Sir Vithaldas Thackersey College Of Home Science, Mumbai, India.

Corresponding Author Email: alzrulz52@gmail.com

Mumbai was one of the 1st cities in India to go into total lockdown in March 2020. The lockdown was expected to have an influence on eating habits specially the snacking patterns. The main objective of this study was to access the change in snacking patterns of participants living in Mumbai city, India during lockdown. Data was collected in 256 Mumbai residents (60 males, 196 females) using Google forms. Information regarding number of meals consumed, meals at which snacks were consumed, change in snacking pattern, reasons for increase or decrease in snacking, and type of snacks consumed during lockdown as compared to before lock was collected. Around 20% reported a decrease, 31% reported no change and 49% reported an increase in snack consumption during lockdown. Participants consumed higher number of meals during lockdown (p less than 0.05). Significantly higher percentage of participants did not consume store brought snacks during lockdown (30.9% vs 13.7%) (p less than 0.05). Significantly higher percentage of participants consumed snacks at mid-evening (50.4% vs 33.6%), late evening (48% vs 32%) and late night (32% vs 16.8%) during lockdown as compared to before lockdown (p less than 0.05). Significantly change in lemon-water (57.8% vs 43.4%), coffee (47.3% vs 40.6%) and carbonated beverages (14.8% vs 23.4%) was observed during lockdown as compared to before lockdown (p less than 0.05). Significant increase in nuts (74.2% vs 65.6%), instant noodles (69.5% vs 60.9%) and biscuits (78.5% vs 68%) was observed during lockdown as compared to before lockdown (p less than 0.05). Significant decrease in South Indian (61.75 vs 69.1%), Frankie (32.8% vs 51.6%), bhel (50.4% vs 69.1%), Chinese bhel (21.5% vs 35.5%) and usal (32% vs 40.2%) was observed during lockdown as compared to before lockdown (p less than 0.05). To conclude, snacks were consumed at more number of meals during lockdown in comparison to before lockdown. A change in type of snacks consumed was observed during lockdown. Ready and easy to eat snacks such as nuts, instant noodles and biscuits showed an increase whereas snacks that require elaborate cooking procedure showed a decrease in consumption. With partial lockdown still persisting in many parts of the country and many still working from home it is imperative to circulate more accurate information on appropriate snacking habits.

COVID-19; Food Consumption; Lockdown; Snacking

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