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

Journal Article

2021

Published in: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34198578/

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: COVID-19; Saudi Arabia; diet behavior; dietary supplements; education; income; multivitamin.

• Publication Work Type: دكتوراة
• Publisher Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
• Publishing City: MDPIST ALBAN-ANLAGE 66, CH-4052 BASEL, SWITZERLAND
• Volume Number: 18
• Issue Number: 12
• Magazine \ Newspaper: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
• Pages: 6435