Stress factors and food purchase prioritization during the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019.

BACKGROUND: The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic confinement has an impact on stress levels, which causes changes in food purchase and consumption behaviors. The objective of this study is to associate food purchase prioritization with stress level during the COVID-19 pandemic confinement. METHODS: Multicenter, observational and cross-sectional study, an online questionnaire that included data on sociodemographic variables, stress factors and food purchase prioritization was disseminated through digital platforms and social networks. RESULTS: A number of 6357 participants were included, of whom 83.6% were female, 56.3% were from the middle socioeconomic level, 71.2% had completed higher education and 78.3% had a job. At greater stress levels it was observed a higher prioritization of canned foods (Odds ratio (OR): 1.91, 95% CI: 1.56; 2.34), sweets (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.06; 2.34) and flours (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.25; 1.68). While lower stress levels are associated with nuts (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.66; 0.85), vegetables (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.72; 0.94), and fruits (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.80; 1.01), after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between food purchase prioritization and stress level during the COVID-19 confinement. At greater stress levels, individuals purchase more food, both healthy and unhealthy. The later may have a negative impact on people's health, leading to or further aggravating malnutrition by excess and nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases.

Confinamiento e inseguridad alimentaria durante la pandemia por covid-19 en Chile

RESUMEN Introducción: El confinamiento por COVID-19, repercute en la situación socioeconómica, de salud y de seguridad alimentaria especialmente en población vulnerable, debido a la reducción de empleos, ingreso y acceso a los alimentos. Objetivo: Determinar la inseguridad alimentaria y la priorización de la compra de alimentos en hogares en situación de confinamiento, durante la pandemia por COVID-19 en Chile. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional analítico. Se envió cuestionario online a través de redes sociales, que incluía información sociodemográfica, prioridad de compra de algunos alimentos seleccionados, pérdida de alimentos en el hogar y una escala de seguridad alimentaria doméstica. Resultados: Participaron 1.114 personas, de ellos el 87,8% eran mujeres, el 80,9% de los participantes llevaba 4 o más semanas de confinamiento. A medida que aumentan las semanas de confinamiento, se incrementa la inseguridad alimentaria leve 26,9% a 36,1% y moderada, 1,7% a 7,8% y se disminuye la seguridad alimentaria 70,6% a 55,7%. Entre el 49,2% y 55,5% de los participantes, en la quinta semana de confinamiento priorización lácteos, arroz/pasta, harina, legumbres, aceite, papas y un 27,0% el azúcar/miel. No se priorizaron los alimentos frescos como las frutas y verduras (FV). Conclusión: El confinamiento genera un aumento progresivo de la inseguridad alimentaria leve y moderada. La priorización de compra en confinamiento se caracteriza por, alimentos con más tiempo de conservación, de mayor consumo, fáciles de preparar y que son ingredientes básicos de otras preparaciones. Alimentos frescos, como frutas y verduras no fueron priorizados. La priorización se relacionó con el nivel educativo.

ABSTRACT Introduction: COVID-19 lockdown affects socioeconomics, health and food security, especially in a vulnerable population, due to the reduction of jobs, income and access to food. Objective: To determine food insecurity and prioritization of food purchases in household in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile. Material and methods: Observational analytical study. An online questionnaire was sent through social networks, which included socio-demographic information, priority of purchase of selected foods, less food at home and a scale of household food security. Results: 1,114 people participated, 87.8% of them were women, 80.9% of the participants had been in quarantine for 4 or more weeks. As the weeks of quarantine increased, mild food insecurity increased from 26.9% to 36.1% and moderate from 1.7% to 7.8%. Food security decreased from 70.6% to 55.7%. Between 49.2% and 55.5% of the participants, in the fifth week of confinement, prioritized dairy, rice/pasta, flour, legumes, oil, potatoes and 27.0% sugar/honey. Fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables were not prioritized. Conclusion: Lockdown generated a progressive increase in mild and moderate food insecurity. The prioritization of purchase in lockdown was characterized by foods with a longer shelf life, more consumption, easy to prepare meals and foods which are basic ingredients of other preparations. Fresh foods like fruits and vegetables were not prioritized. Prioritization was related to educational level.

Metabolic health and its association with lifestyle habits according to nutritional status in Chile: A cross-sectional study from the National Health Survey 2016-2017.

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle habits associate with metabolic health in overall populations. Whether such association is similar among subjects with a different nutritional status has been less studied. We aimed to (i) determine the prevalence of metabolic phenotypes in Chile, and (ii) determine the association between lifestyle habits and metabolic health according to the nutritional status. METHODS: The National Health Survey of Chile 2016-2017 was analyzed. A metabolically unhealthy phenotype was defined as manifesting ≥3 of the following risk factors: elevated blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, elevated glucose, elevated waist circumference, or reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Individuals manifesting <2 risk factors were considered as healthy. The nutritional status was defined as normal weight (18.5 to <25 kg/m2), overweight (25 to <30 kg/m2) or obesity (≥30 kg/m2). Questionnaires were used to estimate smoking habits, alcohol intake, sedentary behavior, moderate-vigorous physical activity, fruits/vegetables consumption, and fish/seafood consumption. The association (odds ratio [95%CI]) between lifestyle habits and metabolic health was determined within each nutritional status, adjusting for age, sex, BMI (in kg/m2), and education. RESULTS: The prevalence of a metabolically unhealthy phenotype was 36% in the overall sample. Such a prevalence was 7%, 33% and 58% among subjects with normal weight, overweight and obesity, respectively. In subjects with normal weight, the highest quartile of fruits/vegetables consumption was associated with reduced odds of having a metabolically unhealthy phenotype (0.09 [0.01-0.48]). In subjects with obesity, the highest quartile of moderate-vigorous physical activity was associated with reduced odds of having a metabolically unhealthy phenotype (0.29 [0.09-0.91]). CONCLUSION: One third of the Chilean population manifests an unhealthy phenotype. We identified associations between lifestyle habits and metabolic health that are specific to the nutritional status. Thus, emphasizing fruits/vegetables consumption in subjects with normal weight, and physical activity in subjects with obesity, may maximize the benefits of public health interventions.