Changes in Snack Food Intake during COVID-۱۹ Lockdown: An Online Survey in Sri Lanka

Background: Based on high transmissibility of coronavirus disease-۱۹ (COVID-۱۹), nationwide lockdowns were undertaken to halt the spread of virus associated with changes in snack behavior. This study aimed to observe changes in snack behavior in Sri Lankan adults.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from ۲۷th May to ۰۲nd June ۲۰۲۱. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was shared via online social networking platforms using Google forms.Results: Totally, ۳۶۰۱ respondents participated in the study, of which ۶۰.۱% were females, and ۸۲.۱% were Sinhalese. The majority of the respondentsincreased consumption of coffee/tea (۵۳.۷%), and biscuit (۴۲.۳%); where asubstantial proportion reported decreased consumption of cake (۴۹.۸%), sweets (۴۹.۰%), snacks (۴۷.۵%), desserts (۴۶.۲%), and sugar-sweetened beverages (۴۸.۷%). Participants of ۳۱-۳۵ years age (OR=۱.۴۴۵; ۹۵% CI:۱.۱۱۹-۱.۸۶۵, p=۰.۰۰۵) and ۳۶-۴۰ years age (OR=۱.۴۰۹; ۹۵% CI: ۱.۰۶۵- ۱.۸۶۴, p=۰.۰۱۶) reported the significantly higher biscuit consumption. Respondents in ۳۱-۳۵ years age (OR=۱.۲۶۵; ۹۵% CI: ۱.۰۰۴ to ۱.۵۹۲, p=۰.۰۴۶) significantly increased coffee/tea intake. Among ethnic groups, Sinhalese (OR=۱.۵۰۹; ۹۵% CI: ۱.۱۶۴ to ۱.۹۵۵, p=۰.۰۰۲) and Tamils (OR=۱.۴۰۸; ۹۵% CI: ۱.۰۰۷ to ۱.۹۶۹, p=۰.۰۴۵) showed significant odds to increased coffee/tea drinking pattern. The respondents with monthly family income levels of less than ۲۰۰,۰۰۰ LKR (۱۰۰۰ USD) significantly liked to report increased consumption of biscuits and coffee/tea.Conclusion: COVID-۱۹ lockdown impacted snack consumption behavior among Sri Lankan adults. The consumption of coffee/tea and biscuit increased too.

Keywords:

Biscuit , COVID-۱۹ , Dietary behaviour , Snack consumption , Sri Lanka