Abstract
BackgroundTo limit the spread of COVID-19, a strict lockdown was imposed in France between March and May 2020. Mobility limitations and closure of non-essential public places (restaurants, open-air markets, etc.) affected peoples' food environment (FE) and thus their food purchasing practices (FPPs). This study aimed to explore changes in FPPs of French households during lockdown and associations with individual and environmental factors.MethodsIn April of 2020 households from the Mont'Panier cross-sectional study (n = 306), a quota sampling survey conducted in the south of France, were asked to complete an online questionnaire about their FPPs during lockdown and related factors, including perceived FE (distance to closest general food store, perception of increased food prices, etc.). Objective FE (presence, number, proximity, and density of food outlets) was assessed around participant's home using a geographical information system. Multiple correspondence analysis based on changes in frequency of use and quantity of food purchased by food outlet, followed by a hierarchical cluster analysis, resulted in the identification of clusters. Logistic regression models were performed to assess associations between identified clusters and household's sociodemographic characteristics, perceived, and objective FE.ResultsFive clusters were identified. Cluster “Supermarket” (38% of the total sample), in which households reduced frequency of trips, but increased quantity bought in supermarkets during lockdown, was associated with lower incomes and the perception of increased food prices. Cluster “E-supermarket” (12%), in which households increased online food shopping with pickup at supermarket, was associated with higher incomes. Cluster “Diversified” (22%), made up of households who reduced frequency of trips to diverse food outlet types, was associated with the perception of increased food prices. Cluster “Organic Food Store” (20%), in which households did not change frequency of trips, nor quantity purchased in organic food stores, was associated with being older (35–50 y vs. <35 y). Finally, cluster “Producer” (8%), which includes households who regularly purchased food from producers, but mostly reduced these purchases during lockdown, was associated with the presence of an organic food store within a 1-km walking distance around home.ConclusionThis study highlighted diverse changes in FPPs during lockdown and overall more significant associations with perceived than with objective FE indicators.
Highlights
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic induced lockdowns in several parts of the world, which include France, where governmental authorities imposed a strict lockdown between March 17 and May 10 to slow down and contain the spread of the virus
Decreased frequency of visits and decreased quantity of food purchased were observed for other food outlet types, with the exception of greengrocers, where an increase in quantity of food purchased occurred for about one-fourth of households
Results of our study show that frequency of trips to food stores tends to have globally reduced during the lockdown, with the exception of e-supermarkets, which were more frequently used by households during this period; similar results were found in another French study [8]
Summary
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic induced lockdowns in several parts of the world, which include France, where governmental authorities imposed a strict lockdown between March 17 and May 10 to slow down and contain the spread of the virus. The pandemic’s economic impact was two-sided, with on one side income drops and on the other side increased savings due to decreased spending on cultural or leisure activities These shifts in purchasing power, along with other consequences of the pandemic, such as mobility limitations and closure of restaurants, takeaways, canteens, and open-air markets suddenly disrupted people’s daily routines, which includes their food shopping habits. Snacking [2, 5] and increased consumption of comfort foods (e.g., energy dense, ultra-processed, sweet and savory foods, alcohol) [5–7] were found to be part of the consequences of the lockdown Both unhealthy and healthy changes in dietary habits during the lockdown were found in multiple studies conducted in France [8–12]. This study aimed to explore changes in FPPs of French households during lockdown and associations with individual and environmental factors
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