Results of Adaptation of the Diagnostic Tool for Measuring Changes in the Eating Behavior of Russians during COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT

Against the backdrop of a biogenic threat (coronavirus infection), many people tried to strengthen control over their life, in particular, in eating behavior, or, on the contrary, turned it into uncontrolled autotherapy. To study changes in eating behavior and related lifestyle changes, a compact scaled questionnaire instrument by Indian colleagues was chosen (Kumari et al., 2020). To adapt the questionnaire and diagnose changes in the eating behavior of Russians, an empirical study was performed (827 respondents from 17 to 75 years old) against the backdrop of the second wave of the pandemic (November 2020 - January 2021). The research toolkit also included a modified (short) version of T.A. Nestik's "Attitude to the epidemiological threat", supplemented by the question of attitude to the requirements of self-isolation, and the technique "Time attitudes" by J. Nuttin modified by K. Muzdybaev. The results of the study allowed us to confirm the construct validity and reliability of the questionnaire on changes in eating behavior during the pandemic, as well as to identify the optimal (health, immunity, performance) and non-optimal behavioral strategies. In addition, it was shown that respondents with a behavioral strategy that has changed in favor of a healthy lifestyle have a more positive attitude towards their past and future, and a more meaningful attitude towards the present. They approach the demands of self-isolation more positively and more constructively, in particular by trying to reduce the threats of the situation at the level of eating behavior, which, in turn, contributes to their greater emotional stability.