Changes in Consumption of Foods and Beverages With Added Sugars During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among US Adults

OBJECTIVES: To examine changes in intake of foods and beverages with added sugars during the COVID-19 pandemic among US adults to understand groups at risk for decreasing dietary quality. METHODS: We used SummerStyles data collected in June 2020 (3,916 US adults, ≥18 y). The outcome was the reported frequency of 1) consuming more unhealthy snacks and desserts including chips, cookies, and ice cream and 2) drinking more sugary drinks like regular soda, fruit drinks, sports/energy drinks, sweetened coffee/teas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Responses were categorized as Never/Rarely, Sometimes, or Often/Always. Exposure variables were sociodemographics, currently having children (<18 y), weight status, and Census regions. Multinomial regressions were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR) for Sometimes or Often/Always consuming more unhealthy snacks/desserts (vs. Never/Rarely); and Sometimes or Often/Always more sugary drinks (vs. Never/Rarely). RESULTS: 36% of adults reported Sometimes consuming more unhealthy snacks/desserts; 16% did so Often/Always. 22% of adults reported Sometimes drinking more sugary drinks; 10% did so Often/Always. Factors significantly associated with higher odds of reporting Often/Always consuming more unhealthy snacks/desserts were younger adults (OR range = 1.51–2.86 vs. adults ≥65 y), females (OR = 1.58), non-Hispanic (NH) Black (OR = 1.89 vs. NH White), lower household income (OR = 2.01 for < $35K vs. ≥$100K), and obesity (OR = 1.56 vs. underweight/healthy weight). Factors significantly associated with odds of Often/Always drinking more sugary drinks were being younger (OR range = 2.26–4.39 vs. adults ≥65 y), NH Black (OR = 3.25), Hispanic (OR = 1.75), NH other (OR = 2.41 vs. NH White), lower education (OR = 2.03 for ≤high school; OR = 1.80 for some college vs. college graduate), lower household income (OR range = 1.64–3.15 vs. ≥$100k), and obesity (OR = 1.61 vs. underweight/healthy weight). CONCLUSIONS: Consuming more foods and beverages with added sugars during the pandemic was higher in younger adults, racial/ethnic minority groups, lower-income adults, and adults with obesity. Dietary changes such as these may impact metabolic health if continued long-term. Implementing strategies to ensure these dietary changes are not permanent may benefit future health. FUNDING SOURCES: Solely for author's time from their institutions.