Changes in Snacking Patterns during COVID-19 Lockdown in Adults from Mumbai City, India

Mumbai was one of the 1st cities in India to go into total lockdown in March 2020. The lockdown was expected to have an influence on eating habits specially the snacking patterns. The main objective of this study was to access the change in snacking patterns of participants living in Mumbai city, India during lockdown. Data was collected in 256 Mumbai residents (60 males, 196 females) using Google forms. Information regarding number of meals consumed, meals at which snacks were consumed, change in snacking pattern, reasons for increase or decrease in snacking, and type of snacks consumed during lockdown as compared to before lock was collected. Around 20% reported a decrease, 31% reported no change and 49% reported an increase in snack consumption during lockdown. Participants consumed higher number of meals during lockdown (p<0.05). Significantly higher percentage of participants did not consume store brought snacks during lockdown (30.9% vs 13.7%) (p<0.05). Significantly higher percentage of participants consumed snacks at mid-evening (50.4% vs 33.6%), late evening (48% vs 32%) and late night (32% vs 16.8%) during lockdown as compared to before lockdown (p<0.05). Significantly change in lemon-water (57.8% vs 43.4%), coffee (47.3% vs 40.6%) and carbonated beverages (14.8% vs 23.4%) was observed during lockdown as compared to before lockdown (p<0.05). Significant increase in nuts (74.2% vs 65.6%), instant noodles (69.5% vs 60.9%) and biscuits (78.5% vs 68%) was observed during lockdown as compared to before lockdown (p<0.05). Significant decrease in South Indian (61.75 vs 69.1%), Frankie (32.8% vs 51.6%), bhel (50.4% vs 69.1%), Chinese bhel (21.5% vs 35.5%) and usal (32% vs 40.2%) was observed during lockdown as compared to before lockdown (p<0.05). To conclude, snacks were consumed at more number of meals during lockdown in comparison to before lockdown. A change in type of snacks consumed was observed during lockdown. Ready and easy to eat snacks such as nuts, instant noodles and biscuits showed an increase whereas snacks that require elaborate cooking procedure showed a decrease in consumption. With partial lockdown still persisting in many parts of the country and many still working from home it is imperative to circulate more accurate information on appropriate snacking habits.

Regression Analysis of Perceived Stress among Elite Athletes from Changes in Diet, Routine and Well-Being: Effects of the COVID-19 Lockdown and “Bubble” Training Camps

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lifestyles and training of elite athletes around the world. The detrimental effects of lockdown periods may vary among individuals, as well as among sports and sexes. This study investigated the changes in dietary habits, and the predictors of perceived stress during lockdown and a “bubble” training camp. This cross-sectional, online survey involved 76 elite and world-class athletes from six able-bodied sports and nine parasports, all of whom were involved in a 30-day “bubble” training camp. Questions were asked on socio-demographics, training routines and wellbeing, perceived stress, and dietary habits, pertaining to “normal” training (prelockdown), lockdown training, and “bubble” camp training periods. Changes in perceived stress were trivial to small during lockdown compared to “normal” training, and trivial to moderate during a “bubble” camp, compared to lockdown. Para-athletes, males, older athletes, less experienced athletes, married individuals, and specific ethnicities appeared to be more detrimentally affected (increased perceived stress) by lockdown. These negative experiences, however, were largely reversed during “bubble” camps. During lockdown, more athletes reported increased evening snack consumption (+8%), later meal-times (+6%), decreased fluid intake (−6%), and no breakfast (+7%). These changes were reversed during “bubble” camps (12–18% improvements). Sport classification accounted for 16% of the increased perceived stress (p = 0.001) during lockdown. Overall, socio-demographic factors, improvements in training routines, well-being, and dietary habits explained 28% of the decreased perceived stress during a “bubble” camp. In conclusion, better dietary habits, training routines and well-being have implications for reduced perceived stress. During lockdown, “bubble” camps may be beneficial, but this observation may be a case-by-case consideration, and short split “bubble” periods are recommended.

Parenting Practices and Adolescents’ Eating Behaviors in African American Families

Parents play an important role in developing the eating behaviors of their children by adopting specific parenting practices. As the prevalence of obesity is high amongst African American adolescents, investigations into associations of specific parenting practices and adolescents’ eating behaviors are essential. In this exploratory study, 14 African American parent–adolescent dyads were interviewed to characterize the influence of eight different parenting practices on the consumption of three main food categories (dairy, fruits and vegetables, and unhealthy snacks). The results revealed that authoritarian parenting practices were correlated with a higher BMI percentile in adolescents, whereas modeling and monitoring are correlated with a higher parent BMI. In addition, reasoning, monitoring, modeling, and authoritative parenting practices were associated with less unhealthy snack consumption among adolescents. Reasoning and monitoring were the only parenting practices associated with higher fruit and vegetable consumption. Finally, a significant correlation was found between eating fruits and vegetables and unhealthy snacks and the location of eating. In conclusion, different parenting practices and environmental factors may impact BMI and food consumption of African American dyads. The results of this study can be used to guide improvement in, and/or development of, nutritional education interventions considering the cultural differences of racial minorities.

Development and Psychometric Assessment of Questionnaires for Evaluation of Social Support for Healthy Breakfast and Snack Consumption

Objective: Social support is one of the predictors of nutrition behaviors. Therefore, measuring and improving the level of support is necessary to improve students’ nutritional status. The purpose of this study was to design instruments and evaluate their psychometric properties for the evaluation of social support for breakfast and snack consumption. Methods: This methodological study was carried out from 2016 to 2018. The qualitative phase was performed in 3 Iranian cities: Isfahan, Khorramabad and Tehran. The quantitative phase was completed in Isfahan only. Initially, 2 questionnaires were developed using the results of the qualitative research. Subsequently, we assessed the face, content, and construct validity of both instruments. Results: The maternal support questionnaire consisted of 3 dimensions, including mother-sponsored support, family life pattern, and school-based collaboration, which explained 55.35% of the instrument’s variance. The school support questionnaire comprised 2 dimensions including informational support and instrumental support, which explained 54.52% of the variance in the results. Conclusions: These instruments can be used to measure and improve social support by designing, implementing, and evaluating community-based campaigns and interventions to improve breakfast consumption and snacking behaviors among children and youth at home and in school.

Common Bean Baked Snack Consumption Reduces Apolipoprotein B-100 Levels: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Snack alternatives based on common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) have been developed to promote pulse consumption. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, sensory acceptance and the effect of common bean baked snack (CBBS) consumption on blood lipid levels in participants with overweight and altered blood lipid levels. A sensory evaluation by 80 untrained judges was carried out using a hedonic scale. A randomized crossover 2 × 2 trial was performed, where 20 participants with overweight and one blood lipid alteration consumed 32 g of CBBS or did not consume it (control) for four weeks. Blood samples were taken to quantify the triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, ApoB-100, glucose and insulin. Furthermore, anthropometric, dietary and physical activity parameters were recorded. The overall acceptance of CBBS was similar compared to popcorn (p > 0.05). The consumption of CBBS reduced the apolipoprotein B-100 levels (p = 0.008). This reduction could be associated with the additional dietary fiber consumption during the CBBS period (p = 0.04). Although it did not improve any other blood lipid or glucose parameters (p > 0.05), it did not affect them either, which means that the CBBS could be consumed without compromising cardiovascular health.

Assessment Transition of Exercise and Dietary Habit of Athletes Before and During Ramadan in the Pandemic of COVID-19

This study aims to identify the training transitions and dietary habits of volleyball athletes' before and during Ramadan in the Covid-19 pandemic. The research design used is descriptive quantitative with a sample of 12 male junior volleyball athletes in the academy Sidoarjo volleyball. The results showed that most athletes experienced a decrease in the frequency of exercise during the month of Ramadan, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 33.3% of athletes maintained their exercise frequency, and 66.7% experienced a decrease in exercise frequency. Furthermore, during Ramadan and Covid-19, there was an increase in the frequency of eating 1-2 times a day (58.4%), snack consumption (50%), fruit and vegetables (75%), fried foods 4-7 times a week (8.4%), instant noodles 1-3 times a week (25%) and fast food 1-3 times a week (8.4%) in athletes. Concerning this, it is imperative to revitalize the program and monitor the athlete's training periodically, which is adjusted to the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic and provide a dietitian to regulate the athlete's diet to obtain a balanced nutritional intake following the exercise portion.Assessmen transisi latihan dan pola makan atlet sebelum dan saat ramadan di masa pandemi Covid-19AbstrakTujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengidentifikasi transisi latihan dan pola makan atlet bola voli sebelum dan saat ramadan di masa pandemi Covid-19. Desain penelitian yang digunakan yaitu deskriptif kuantitatif dengan sampel 12 atlet laki-laki bola voli junior yang masih aktif dalam menjalani pemusatan latihan di Akademi Bola Voli Indomaret Sidoarjo. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa mayoritas atlet mengalami penurunan frekuensi latihan saat ramadan khususnya di masa pandemi covid-19. Sebanyak 33,3% yang mampu mempertahankan frekuensi latihan dan 66,7% mengalami penurunan frekuensi latihan. Selanjutnya, saat ramadan dan Covid-19 terjadi peningkatan frekuensi makan 1-2 sehari (58,4%), konsumsi camilan (50%), buah dan sayuran (75%), gorengan 4 – 7 kali dalam seminggu (8,4%), mie instant 1 – 3 kali dalam satu minggu (25%) serta makanan cepat saji 1 – 3 kali dalam seminggu (8,4%) pada atlet. Berdasarkan hal ini, maka sangat penting untuk melakukan revitalisasi program dan pemantauan latihan atlet secara berkala yang disesuaikan dengan masa pandemi covid-19 dan menyediakan dietisien untuk pengaturan makan atlet agar dapat memperoleh asupan gizi seimbang sesuai dengan porsi latihannya.

Consumption of Hidden Sugars and Fats in Snacks by Adolescents

Adolescent obesity is a leading global problem in the 21st century. It is increasing due to excess snack consumption, low physical activity, not following mindful eating. Objectives of the research were (1) To study consumption of hidden sugars and fats in snacks by adolescents, (2) To conduct market survey of packaged foods and to assess hidden sugar and fat content, (3) To assess dietary pattern and somatic status of subject. Methodology followed was Purposive random sampling of adolescents both girls and boys of age 16-18 years (N=100), questionnaire was constructed and validated, general information, anthropometric measurements and dietary information was collected, data was analysed statistically. Results and findings of this study were as follows, Majority (87) respondents were non-vegetarians and consumed snacks atleast twice daily. 47 respondents skipped breakfast always. 41 percent of respondents overate when hungry due to skipping previous meal. Mean consumption of fat (26 grams) and sugar (28 grams) from snacks. Body mass index reveals that 37 respondents were in normal category, 21 respondents were underweight, waist hip ratio revealed 89 adolescents were obese. 45 respondents were involved in physical activity every day. 21 respondents binged on snacks at midnight as an effect of disturbed sleep. Skipping breakfast, increased the intake of snacks and low physical activity are contributing factors to increased BMI and abdominal obesity which leads to insulin resistance, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, high cholesterol levels and early morbidity in adulthood. There is a dire need for nutrition awareness among adolescence to make healthy food choices. Key words: adolescent, obesity, snacking, Hidden sugars, fat consumption.

Neighborhood disadvantage and the sales of unhealthy products: alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy snack food

Background Individuals may use unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol, tobacco, and unhealthy snack consumption. The purpose of this study was to assess how neighborhood disadvantage is associated with sales of alcohol, tobacco, and unhealthy snacks at stores of a discount variety store chain. Methods Alcohol, tobacco, and unhealthy snack sales were measured monthly for 20 months, 2017–2018, in 16 discount variety stores in the United States. Mixed effects linear regressions adjusted for population size, with store-specific random effects, to examine the relationship of weekly unit sales with three outcome variables and neighborhood disadvantage, measured using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI). Results The discount variety stores were located in neighborhoods where the median ADI percentile was 87 [interquartile range 83,89], compared to the median ADI percentile of 50 for all US communities, indicating that the stores were located in substantially disadvantaged neighborhoods. For every 1% increase in ADI, weekly unit sales of unhealthy snack food increased by 43 [95% confidence interval, CI 28–57], and weekly unit sales of tobacco products increased by 11.5 [95% CI 5–18] per store. No significant relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and the weekly unit sales of alcohol products was identified. Conclusions The positive relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and the sale of tobacco and snack foods may help explain the pathway between neighborhood disadvantage and poor health outcomes. It would be useful for future research to examine how neighborhood disadvantage influences resident health-related behaviors.

Is the Suppression Effect of the Color Red on Snack Food Consumption Reliable?

Two articles hypothesized that exposure to the color red would induce a state of avoidance motivation and reported that snack food consumption was decreased when the food was served on red plates, relative to white and blue plates. The current experiment combined their procedures and approximately tripled their group sizes. Participants were provided with pretzels on red, white, or blue plates in a mock sensory analysis task. The results indicated that more pretzels were consumed when presented on red plates, in direct contradiction of previous results. Alternative explanations, such as group differences in hunger or preference for pretzels, could not account for the results. The facilitation effect of red indicates that the color red does not always reduce snack food consumption and suggests that the reported inhibitory effect of red on snack consumption may not be reliable.