COVID- 19 and Americans' Perceptions of Change in Diet Quality

Abstract

The objective of this research was to conduct an assessment of perceived diet quality from a national random sample of American adults and explore how the perceived change in diet quality varied by key sociodemographic characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 835 adults across the United States completed a multi-item online survey. Statistically significant differences were observed with diets worsening during the pandemic for females, young adults, racial minorities (except Asians), unemployed individuals, widowed/divorced or engaged/cohabitating individuals, those not working from home, non-healthcare professionals, and overweight and obese individuals; the pandemic had an impact on the diet quality of these groups.