Socioeconomic Factors and Changes in Food Choice and Availability during COVID-19 Restrictions in Latvia

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the life of many. The study aimed to identify fragile groups of the population regarding nutrition during the COVID-19 restriction period. An online survey was conducted from 26 July to 3 September 2020. A total of 1173 answers were received from persons aged 18-68 years living in Latvia. The results showed that food availability mainly was not limited, although for 15.3% responders restrictions caused increased worries about not having enough food, and 12.2% noted a decrease in the ability to eat preferred food. Responders aged 40-54 noted that they ate less, and that their food stocks were scarce in comparison with other age groups. Almost 50% of responders increased food consumption. One-fifth of responders increased consumption of foods of low nutritional value, especially among 25-39 year old persons and in households where the economic situation became worse. Fragile groups regarding nutrition in times of COVID-19 restrictions included households whose economic situation became worse during the COVID-19 restrictions, younger people who increased food consumption together with consumption of food of low nutritional value, and persons aged 40-54 years. The data from the study serve as an indicator that more detailed research is needed to determine whether crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic are changing dietary habits and food availability in the population.