Effect of the coronavirus pandemic on nutrition and health of adults in Calabar, Nigeria: A post-lockdown analysis

Background: The food security and nutrition of millions of people around the world is currently being threatened by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, an evolving health crisis. Aim: To evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on nutrition and health of adults in Calabar, especially after the hard lockdown.Setting: Online cross-sectional survey in Calabar, Nigeria. Method: After sample size determination, an online questionnaire was designed, content-validated by nutrition experts and piloted on 20 respondents. The questionnaire link was circulated for 6 weeks (April­May, 2021). The questionnaire was structured to gather socio-economic data, lifestyles of the participants (especially younger adults) and changes in dietary intake and health. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation were used to define the proportion of responses for each question and check for association. Results: No glaring nutrition or health problems was observed in the surveyed population (385 respondents), but many (50%) earned very low monthly income (< 50 000 naira). A drop in finances seemed to have indirectly caused a decrease in food consumption post-lockdown. A strong association between age and health risks was observed; similarly, alcohol intake was significantly affected by income and age. Conclusion: The pandemic caused many changes in people's dietary habits and lifestyles, including financial setbacks. Apparently, education and proper enlightenment play a major role in food choices (despite limited resources), thus ensuring adequate nutrition and reducing health risks in the face of a pandemic. Contribution: This study has affirmed the efficacy of nutrition education and proper awareness in ensuring healthy dietary choices, optimal health and reduced risks of diseases.

Perceptions of healthy food, and perceived facilitators and barriers to buying and consuming healthy food, among female caregivers in Soweto, South Africa

Background. Obesity poses a continuous health challenge in South Africa and disproportionately affects black African households. To target obesity in these settings, it is crucial to have an in-depth understanding of food choices made by affected households. Objectives. To explore how healthy food is perceived by women living in Soweto, and the facilitators of and barriers to buying and consuming this food. Methods. This was a qualitative study that utilized semi-structured interviews. Ten participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. The study took place in Soweto, South Africa, and was conducted from February to May 2019. Results. Six themes were developed from the data: perceptions of healthy food; protecting family members from unhealthy food; learning about healthy food; appreciation by the family; home-cooked food v. food bought on the street; and budgetary restrictions. The first three themes were grouped by the overarching theme 'consciousness of healthfulness of food', and the last three themes were grouped by the theme 'influences of the family and environment on food choice'. Conclusions. A focus on the whole family's dietary behaviours is recommended and, in future interventions, guidance communicated in intervention materials should be tailored to existing knowledge of healthy eating.

Added Sugar and Dietary Sodium Intake from Purchased Fast Food; Confectionery; Sweetened Beverages and Snacks among Sowetan Adolescents

Background. Greater availability and accessibility of fast foods; sugar-sweetened beverages and snacks in urban South Africa may be contributing to the burgeoning obesity epidemic in adolescents. Objectives. To determine the consumption of purchased foods and drinks among a cohort of urban adolescents; and to estimate the added sugar and dietary sodium intake from these foods and beverages.Methods. Participants (N=1 451; 49.6 male; mean 17.7 years of age) completed interviewer-assisted questionnaires on dietary intake practices pertaining to food choices in the home; school and community. The consumption of fast foods; sugar-sweetened beverages and snacks was determined and the average added sugar and sodium intakes were estimated.Results. The median (interquartile range) intake of fast foods was 11 (7 - 16) items/week in both sexes. Sweetened beverages were consumed 8 (5 - 11) and 10 (6 - 11) times/week by males and females; respectively (p0.02). Females consumed confectionery more often than males (13 (9 - 17) and 11 (8 - 15) items/week; respectively; p0.01). Seven (5 - 10) salty snack items/week were consumed by both sexes. Overall; mean added sugar intake from these purchased food items was estimated at 561.6 g/week for males and 485.3 g/week for females; respectively (p0.05). Conclusion. In this study; males and females consumed on average three times the recommended daily intake of added sugar; and more than half of the recommended daily salt intake from these purchased foods alone. These dietary patterns during adolescence may exacerbate the risk of obesity and hypertension in later adult life

Characteristics and Factors Influencing Fast Food Intake of Young Adult Consumers in Johannesburg South Africa

Objectives: To determine fast food consumption patterns; socio-economic characteristics and other factors that influence the fast food intake of young adults from different socio-economic areas in Johannesburg; South Africa. Methods: A descriptive; cross-sectional study was undertaken; using an interviewer-administered; validated questionnaire to elicit the characteristics of the study population (adults aged from 19 to 30 years); their reasons for and frequency of fast food consumption; their specific fast food choices; and their attitudes towards health. Results: The study population (n = 341) consisted primarily of young working adults (n = 242) with at least a secondary education. Almost half (42; n = 102) of the employed participants earned less than R5 000 per month; but spent more than R200 on fast food per month.Twenty-one per cent of all participants had fast food at least once a week; while 27.6had it two to three times a week. Socio-economic group (SEG) and gender were significantly related to fast food intake (p 0.01); with a larger proportion of participants (65; n = 76) in the lower socio-economic group (LSEG) showing more frequent use. Males consumed fast food more frequently than females. The most popular fast foods consumed were burgers (69.5); pizza (56.6) and fried chicken (38.4). Soft drinks were the most popular beverage consumed (56). The main reasons for choosing fast food were time limitations (58.9); convenience (58.2) and taste (52.5). The majority of the participants were concerned about their health (93.3) and indicated a fear of becoming overweight (44.3). Seventy-eight per cent of all the participants would have chosen a healthier option if it had been available on the menu. Television was reported to be the most effective medium influencing their food choices. Conclusion: Fast food intake appears to be very common in this group of young South African adults. Various factors that influence fast food intake were identified that provide health educators and policy makers with useful information for health promotion

Characteristics and Factors Influencing Fast Food Intake of Young Adult Consumers in Johannesburg South Africa

Objectives: To determine fast food consumption patterns; socio-economic characteristics and other factors that influence the fast food intake of young adults from different socio-economic areas in Johannesburg; South Africa. Methods: A descriptive; cross-sectional study was undertaken; using an interviewer-administered; validated questionnaire to elicit the characteristics of the study population (adults aged from 19 to 30 years); their reasons for and frequency of fast food consumption; their specific fast food choices; and their attitudes towards health. Results: The study population (n = 341) consisted primarily of young working adults (n = 242) with at least a secondary education. Almost half (42; n = 102) of the employed participants earned less than R5 000 per month; but spent more than R200 on fast food per month.Twenty-one per cent of all participants had fast food at least once a week; while 27.6had it two to three times a week. Socio-economic group (SEG) and gender were significantly related to fast food intake (p 0.01); with a larger proportion of participants (65; n = 76) in the lower socio-economic group (LSEG) showing more frequent use. Males consumed fast food more frequently than females. The most popular fast foods consumed were burgers (69.5); pizza (56.6) and fried chicken (38.4). Soft drinks were the most popular beverage consumed (56). The main reasons for choosing fast food were time limitations (58.9); convenience (58.2) and taste (52.5). The majority of the participants were concerned about their health (93.3) and indicated a fear of becoming overweight (44.3). Seventy-eight per cent of all the participants would have chosen a healthier option if it had been available on the menu. Television was reported to be the most effective medium influencing their food choices. Conclusion: Fast food intake appears to be very common in this group of young South African adults. Various factors that influence fast food intake were identified that provide health educators and policy makers with useful information for health promotion