Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immune boosting food consumption and overall dietary pattern among selected Indian adults: An observational study

BACKGROUND: /Objectives: The rise of the pandemic of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has upset the diet and lifestyle of individuals. This study was designed to highlight the choices of individuals across different ages to quantify food consumption using the Food Consumption Score, to assess changes, if any, that were caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify the factors that affected these changes. It also assessed the consumption of immune -boosting foods, including spices and gooseberries, taken as a preventive measure against the virus. METHODS: An online survey in a questionnaire format was used in this study to collect information from adults aged 18 to 55 (categorized into young and middle-aged adults) across India. The Food Consumption Score, a tool validated by the World Food Programme, was used to assess frequencies of food consumption per food group. RESULTS: The study revealed that young adults had higher Food Consumption Scores than their middle-aged counterparts during the two time points, pre COVID-19 (55.25 & 32, p = 0.001) and during COVID-19 (57.25 & 32, p=<0.001). The pandemic also led to a tangible rise in the consumption of various foods known for their immune-boosting abilities such as spices, gooseberries, and Neem. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study indicate an increase in awareness with respect to dietary habits, specifically in terms of consumption of immune boosting foods observed during the COVID-19 pandemic across the age groups.