Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, with its cyclical lockdown restrictions and school closures, has influenced family life. The home, work, and school environments have collided and merged to form a new normal for many families. This merging extends into the family food environment, and little is known about how families are currently navigating this landscape. The objective of the present study was to describe families’ adaptations in the family food environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Parents participated in one of 14 virtual focus groups (conducted in English and Spanish between December 2020 and February 2021). Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the transcripts. Results: Forty-eight parents (81% Hispanic and SES diverse) participated. Five themes and one subtheme were identified around changes in eating habits and mealtime frequency, increases in snacking, family connectedness at mealtimes, and use of screens at meals. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the family food environment. Families shared how their eating habits have changed and that device usage increased at mealtimes. Some changes (e.g., weight gain) may have lasting health implications for both children and parents. Public health officials, pediatricians, and schools should work with families to resume healthy habits post pandemic.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced families to restructure their daily lives
A recent meta-analysis found that family mealtime frequency is related to better family functioning, which includes problem-solving, communication, and feelings of family connectedness [13]
Parents participated in a virtual focus group session via Zoom about family functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced families to restructure their daily lives. Cyclical lockdown restrictions, school closures, remote work, and closures of family-oriented recreation have caused a collapse of normal routines. The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to serve as an impetus for changes in the family food environment. A recent meta-analysis found that family mealtime frequency is related to better family functioning, which includes problem-solving, communication, and feelings of family connectedness [13]. Family meals provide a central place where family members come together and where healthy eating habits can be promoted. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its cyclical lockdown restrictions and school closures, has influenced family life. The home, work, and school environments have collided and merged to form a new normal for many families. This merging extends into the family food environment, and little is known about how families are currently navigating this landscape. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the family food environment
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