The Impact of COVID-19 on Nutrition Behaviors Among People With Parkinson's Disease

OBJECTIVES: To compare the nutrition behaviors of people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A 34-item open- and closed-ended online questionnaire that explores the nutrition behaviors before and during COVID-19 was distributed through PD community and support groups nationwide between September 17-December 28, 2020. To check for differences in variables before and during COVID-19, paired-sample t-tests were used and the level of statistical significance was P < 0.05. Responses to an open-ended question around how COVID-19 has impacted nutrition and eating was analyzed for preliminary themes by the lead researcher. RESULTS: Sixty-three PwPD (31 females) completed the survey. The average age of participants was 69.5 ± 7.5 years and average time since diagnosis was 9.7 ± 7.5 years. Self-reported mean body weight before the pandemic and during the pandemic decreased significantly (78.8 ± 18.7 vs. 77.6 ± 16.6 kg, P = 0.036). The majority of participants reported no change in the following nutrition behaviors: appetite (69.4%), fruit intake (71%), and vegetable consumption (72.6%). While 52.5% of participants reported the amount eaten daily stayed the same, 24.6% of participants reported a total/slight decrease in the amount eaten daily, and 22.9% reported a total/slight increase in the amount eaten daily. Just under 16% of participants reported difficulties with getting the food that they preferred during COVID-19. Since COVID-19, 63.9% of participants reported no change in satisfaction with eating habits, while 27.9% of participants reported a total/slight decrease in satisfaction. Responses to open-ended questions revealed a two-fold trend; PwPD reported either consuming more home-cooked, healthier foods or an increase in snacking of sweets and “junk” foods. Of 60 PwPD, 40%, agreed or strongly agreed they would follow an online free nutrition program. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to understand if change in weight status is caused by lifestyle or disease progression. Although our data indicates some concern around nutrition, research on physical activity changes during COVID-19 is needed to paint a better picture of how COVID-19 has impacted PwPD's health-related lifestyle choices. FUNDING SOURCES: There was no funding for this study.