Factors affecting Food Consumption behaviour during COVID-Pandemic among Thai People aged 15-20 years old in Bangkok,Thailand

Abstract

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the entire world, including every province of Thailand, spreading rapidly causing several measures to take place. To control the epidemic, lockdown measures were implemented. Suspension of international travel, abstaining from meeting up in large groups to name a few examples. Eating out in restaurants is a common aspect in people?s lives, especially in Bangkok. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, bangkokians face the heightening need for read-to-eat food more than ever. This in turn has caused a difference in people?s behaviour towards food consumption. Objective: To study about knowledge and understanding of food consumption and the factors influencing food consumption behaviour during the spread of COVID-19. Method: A questionnaire to measure cognition about food safety consumption. During the COVID-19 outbreak and food consumption behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic Result: A total of 428 participants, aged between 15-20 years old, revealed a low-level knowledge of food consumption and a moderated level of food consumption behaviour (M=48.68, SD=8.12). Gender, Age, Class Level, Parents? Occupation, Household Income and Nutrition related Knowledge affected Food consumption behaviour {Multiple R = .111, F=7.443, p<0.001, df (7,419)}. These factors could predict 11% (R Square =0.111). When considered all factors it had been found that Nutrition related knowledge was the only statistically significant predictive factors for food consumption behaviour (Beta=0.16, t=3.41,p<0.01) Conclusion: Participants had a low level of food consumption knowledge and a moderate level of food consumption behaviour. Providing knowledge or health educational programs regarding food consumption and nutrition should be done in order to improve knowledge and understanding as well as appropriate food consumption behaviour among people aged 15-20 years old, especially during COVID-19 pandemic.