COVID-19 disease and nutritional choices: how will the pandemic reconfigure our food psychology and habits? A case study of the Italian population

Mariarosaria Savarese, Greta Castellini*, Greta Castellini*, Lorenzo Morelli, Guendalina Graffigna

*Autore corrispondente per questo lavoro

Risultato della ricerca: Contributo in rivistaArticolo in rivista

Abstract

Background and aims In Italy, the spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) required lifestyle changes that have affected food choices and people's health condition. We explore people's perception of the role of food consumption as a preventive measure and how it reconfigures consumption habits. Method and results We conducted an online survey of a representative sample of 1004 Italian citizens. Around 40% of the population perceive that strengthening the immune defences through nutrition is not important to reduce the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. People with lower levels of perceived importance are slightly younger and have a less healthy lifestyle. They are less worried about the emergency. During the last months, they have bought less food supplements and also intend to decrease their purchase in the next 6 months. Conclusion In COVID-19 pandemic, scholars underline the importance of having a strong immune system. However, the Italians who attribute less importance to food that helps the immune system seem to differ negatively in their psychological attitude towards the emergency and food consumption. Today, Italians are asked to engage in preventive food practices to protect against possible chronic diseases; exploring their perceptions is important to orient them towards this change.
Lingua originaleEnglish
pagine (da-a)399-402
Numero di pagine4
RivistaNMCD. NUTRITION METABOLISM AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
Volume31
DOI
Stato di pubblicazionePubblicato - 2020

Keywords

  • Covid-19, disease preventions, behavioural change, healthy diets
  • food psychology

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