Moroccan eating habits during COVID-19 lockdown: a preliminary analysis

Abstract

The present study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dietary habits. Data were collected from an online survey (n = 171, out of 315 initial respondents) during the lockdown period from April to June 2020. The questionnaire was provided in Arabic, French, and English language and divided into five sections: sociodemographic and socioeconomic information, eating motivations, food consumption frequency, food-related behaviors, and purchase priorities. The results showed that health and pleasure were the primary perceived changes in eating motivations caused by the pandemic. The results of cluster analysis exhibited that individuals from cluster 1 with “Good Habits” had not changed their consumption frequency of food during the lockdown. In contrast, cluster 2 with “Bad Habits” showed higher consumption of salty snacks, chocolates, cakes, cookies, and processed foods (p < 0.001) than the period before the pandemic. On the other hand, the priority to purchase frozen vegetables, chocolates, and canned beans and legumes was observed to increase in cluster 2 during the lockdown period (p = 0.02, p = 0.005, and p = 0.001, respectively). The COVID-19 pandemic had a discernible impact on Moroccan dietary habits, emphasizing the need to fully understand the long-term effects. The observed changes highlight the importance of promoting healthy eating habits, especially during times of crisis. By analyzing the shifts in food consumption and the underlying motivations, policymakers can develop targeted interventions to support healthier dietary choices among the Moroccan population, contributing to improved public health outcomes.