Individual and Interpersonal Factors Affecting Dietary Intake of Community-Dwelling Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: As older adults are at higher risk for severe illness and mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection, social distancing has been a primary means of mitigating risk. However, this lifestyle change may impact eating habits and food choices. The aim of this study was to explore individual and interpersonal factors affecting the eating behaviors and dietary intake of community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data were analyzed using a deductive content analysis approach to identify themes.

Setting: Southeastern United States.

Participants: Twenty-three men and women, 60 years of age and older (mean age 71.9 ± 7.7, 22% male) completed both the interview and questionnaire.

Results: Themes that emerged at the individual level included changes in eating habits and foods eaten, with most participants reporting healthier food choices during the pandemic. Participants also reported more frequent cooking, improved cooking skills, and cooking as a form of stress relief. Although some older adults described increased snacking and consumption of "comfort foods", others noted no influence of mood on food choices. At the interpersonal level, an increased use of technology for social interaction and the importance of social support were identified as influencing factors.

Conclusions: Findings provide insight on how to help older adults maintain good nutrition amidst lifestyle changes imposed by social distancing. Nutrition educators may capitalize on positive behavior changes that occurred during the pandemic such as increased cooking and increased use of technology for social interaction.

Keywords: COVID-19; dietary intake; eating behaviors; older adults.