[Changes in dietary behaviors and food-related accessibility issues and information needs during the COVID-19 pandemic: comparison based on household economic status].

Objective　This study aimed to assess the household income changes during COVID-19 pandemic among Japanese adults, and to evaluate how this was related to changes in dietary behaviors and food-related accessibility issues and information needs during the emergency period.Method　We conducted an online cross-sectional survey in July, 2020 among residents (aged 20-69 years) of the 13 prefectures under special confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were asked about their dietary behaviors before the pandemic (before February 2020) and during the confinement period (April-May 2020), as well as about their food-related accessibility issues and information needs during the confinement period. Data from 2,225 residents were analyzed. Participants were divided into three groups (decreased, unchanged, and increased) based on the household income changes due to COVID-19. Demographics, dietary behaviors, and food-related accessibility issues and information needs were then compared among these three groups. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the effect of household income changes on dietary behavior changes, food-related accessibility issues, and food-related information needs, while adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Furthermore, the effect of household income changes and subjective economic status were also analyzed using multiple logistic regression analyses.Result　The participant distribution in each group were as follows: decreased (34.6%), unchanged (63.9%), and increased (1.6%). Higher proportion of those who were employed part-time, self-employed, or unemployed during the confinement period were found among the decreased group. The odds ratios (OR) of the decreased group were significantly higher than the unchanged group for lower frequency of eating out, and for higher frequency of home-cooking, consuming ready-to-eat convenience meals, and eating with children during the confinement period. Furthermore, regardless of the subjective economic status, the decreased group experienced difficulties in accessing required foods because of shortages and congestion in grocery stores, as well as increased prices. Additionally, food-related information needs regarding reduction of food expenses were also high among the decreased group.Conclusion　Participants with a decreased household income were more likely to experience difficulties with food accessibility and desire information about lowering food-related expenses. Furthermore, they reported lower frequency of eating out, and higher frequency of home-cooking and consuming ready-to-eat convenience meals during the confinement period than before the pandemic. Future studies should evaluate the direction (positive or negative) of these changed food consumption patterns.

[Change in dietary consciousness and its related factors among Japanese adults under the COVID-19 pandemic: Analysis using Dietary Consciousness Scale].

Objectives　This study aims to develop a dietary consciousness scale and examine its reliability and validity, as well as investigate the changes in psychological aspects that influence diet among Japanese adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and clarify its related factors.Methods　An online survey was conducted from July 1, 2020 to July 3, 2020. Participants were adults aged between 20 and 69 years selected from 13 prefectures where the government declared the state of emergency from April to May 2020. All selected participants were shopping or cooking foods for more than 2 days a week at the time of the survey. A total of 2,299 participants were included in the analysis. Dietary consciousness was measured using 12 items, and the construct was examined using factor analysis. Cronbach's alpha was examined as an indicator of internal validity, and the criterion-referenced validity was confirmed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. To determine changes in dietary consciousness, we calculated total scores based on changes in each item of the Dietary Consciousness Scale as follows: no change (0 points), improved (+1 point), and worsening (-1 point). The associations between the changes in dietary consciousness and characteristics or socioeconomic factors of the participants were examined using the chi-squared test and residual analysis.Results　Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that a model consisting of two factors fitted the data (GFI = 0.958, AGFI = 0.938, CFI = 0.931, RMSEA = 0.066). Cronbach's alpha of the first factor (importance of diet) was 0.838 and 0.734 for the second factor (precedence of diet), and the reliability was confirmed at 0.828 for the entire scale. In the examination of criterion-related validity, the higher the stage of change, the higher the total score of the scale, and a significant difference was observed (P<0.001). The percentage of participants whose precedence worsened was higher than the importance. Significant differences were observed regarding gender, age group, marital status, employment status, household annual income, and income change during the COVID-19 pandemic considering changes in both the importance and precedence of diet. Those who were in the "worsening tendency" group in both the importance and precedence were men, 20-29 years old, unmarried, full-time employees, with a household income of 4-6 million yen during the past year.Conclusion　During the COVID-19 pandemic, the precedence of diet worsened, compared to its importance, and men, young, or unmarried persons show a worsening of dietary consciousness.