A Study on the Dietary Consumption Pattern of Adolescents and Intake of High Salt Foods and Frequency of Mealtimes during the Coronavirus Disease-19 Lockdown

Abstract

Background: The lockdown restrictions due to coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 led to increased level of stress and reduced physical activity. The relationship between sodium intake and arterial blood pressure (BP) values in adolescence is well studied. The intake of high-sodium processed foods has increased globally, especially during lockdown. Objectives: The present study aimed to analyze the dietary pattern of adolescents during the COVID-19 lockdown and to assess the changes in the consumption pattern of adolescents for high salt foods and the risk of overweight during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methodology: A food frequency questionnaire was prepared to obtain a general idea about the adolescent population’s dietary pattern with relation to high salt foods. Due to the lockdown and social distancing, an online form was created using Google Forms. Seventy-five samples participated in the study and all of them belonged to middle to high socioeconomic status. Results: It was reported that all the subjects added salt in their meals. Adolescents reported consuming 1–3 servings of frozen ready-to-eat foods, papads, pickles, and ready-to-eat packaged foods which are high in sodium content. There was no significant difference observed between salt intake and body mass index (BMI) in the adolescents (P = 0.56), except for the consumption of packaged crisps (P = 0.04). A highly significant correlation was obtained (P = 0.00) between the increase in the frequency of meals and the risk for metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: It was concluded that excess consumption of salt in the long term may cause hypertension and increases the risk of metabolic syndrome. Staying at home and direct access to food during the COVID -19 lockdown has led to the increase in the frequency of meals consumed and which had a direct effect on BMI.