Journal of Tropical Diseases & Public Health

Abstract

Dietary and Weight Changes During COVID-19 Pandemic in Afghanistan

Ahmad Mujtaba Barekzai*, Beheshta Baraki and Marhaba Barekzai

Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the lifestyle of most people especially diet and body weight changed. Therefore, we aimed to examine the dietary and weight changes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Afghanistan.

Methods: The current study is an online survey among the Afghan population in Afghanistan, which was conducted on 3200 Afghan adults (2800 men and 400 women) ages 18-60 years between 15 August 2020 and 10 May 2021. The inclusion criteria were age over 18 years old, both genders, interest participants in the study, and internet access. The age under 18 years old, pregnant and breastfeeding women was not included in this study.

Results: (12.5%) of study participants were females. Almost (56.34% from 3200 participants) of the study population decreased their body weight. Additionally, over half percent of study participants increased the consumption of fruits (93.12%), vegetables (57.28%), legumes (59.03%), tea (61.34%), coffee (53.96%), pepper (57.38%), boiled food (69.05%) and supplements (87.46%).

Conclusion: We found that food intake increased. Moreover, the body weight decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic among Afghan participants.

Published Date: 2021-08-05; Received Date: 2021-07-15