Dietary practices of adult Egyptians before and during the COVID-19 lockdown

Ali, Samar Abd El Mohsen; Aly, Maged Ossama; El-Nimr, Nessrin Ahmed

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe dietary practices of adult Egyptians, estimate changes in their body mass index (BMI), and identify possible determinants of such changes before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. SUBJECT AND METHODS: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted during the nationwide COVID-19 partial lockdown. Data were obtained from 430 Egyptian adults regarding their personal and socio-demographic characteristics, routine daily physical activities, dietary patterns, practices related to food purchase and food handling, and weight and BMI before and during the lockdown using an online web-based questionnaire. RESULTS: The number of daily meals and daily snacks significantly increased during the lockdown. Moreover, the consumption of all types of snacks increased, except for chocolate and sweets, whose consumption decreased. Eating of fast food decreased, whereas the number of individuals practicing indoor physical activities increased during the lockdown. During the lockdown, no significant changes in the mean BMI were observed. The mean weekly consumption of starch, meat, milk, fat, and free foods decreased, whereas the mean weekly consumption of fruits and vegetables increased. Food handling practices improved during the lockdown. Based on the results of the linear regression analysis, age, the number of daily meals, practicing of physical activities during lockdown, and mean weekly consumption of meat were the independent predictors of BMI during the lockdown. CONCLUSION: During the lockdown, no significant changes in the BMI of adult Egyptians were observed, whereas dietary practices and food handling practices changed.