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Food Acquisition and Daily Life for U.S. Families with 4- to 8-Year-Old Children during COVID-19: Findings from a Nationally Representative Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Mackenzie J. Ferrante

    (Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA)

  • Juliana Goldsmith

    (Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA)

  • Sara Tauriello

    (Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA)

  • Leonard H. Epstein

    (Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
    Center for Ingestive Behavior Research, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA)

  • Lucia A. Leone

    (Center for Ingestive Behavior Research, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
    School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA)

  • Stephanie Anzman-Frasca

    (Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
    Center for Ingestive Behavior Research, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA)

Abstract

Evidence of short-term impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on family life is emerging. Continued research can shed light on potential longer-term impacts. An online survey of U.S. parents with 4- to 8-year-old children ( n = 1000) was administered in October 2020. The survey examined parent-reported impacts of COVID-19 on lifestyle (e.g., work, child-care, grocery shopping), as well as current family food acquisition and eating behaviors (e.g., cooking, restaurant use). Descriptive statistics were calculated, incorporating sampling weights based on sociodemographics. In terms of COVID-19 impacts, parents reported increases in working from home, decreased work hours, and increased child care and instruction, with most children attending school or receiving care at home. Parents reported increased home cooking and online grocery shopping; only 33% reported increased take-out or delivery from restaurants. About half of parents reported that their child dined at restaurants, 62% reported getting take-out, and 57% reported delivery from restaurants at least 2–3 times per month. About half viewed dining at restaurants as safe, while take-out and delivery were seen as safe by around three-quarters. Approximately two-thirds reported recent food insecurity. These nationally-representative results illustrate possible longer-lasting shifts in family life, with the potential to impact health and well-being. Sociodemographic differences and research and policy implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Mackenzie J. Ferrante & Juliana Goldsmith & Sara Tauriello & Leonard H. Epstein & Lucia A. Leone & Stephanie Anzman-Frasca, 2021. "Food Acquisition and Daily Life for U.S. Families with 4- to 8-Year-Old Children during COVID-19: Findings from a Nationally Representative Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1734-:d:497371
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hengyun Ma & Jikun Huang & Frank Fuller & Scott Rozelle, 2006. "Getting Rich and Eating Out: Consumption of Food Away from Home in Urban China," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 54(1), pages 101-119, March.
    2. Lucia A. Leone & Sheila Fleischhacker & Betsy Anderson-Steeves & Kaitlyn Harper & Megan Winkler & Elizabeth Racine & Barbara Baquero & Joel Gittelsohn, 2020. "Healthy Food Retail during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Future Directions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-14, October.
    3. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Gregory, Christian & Singh, Anita, 2014. "Household Food Security in the United States in 2013," Economic Research Report 183589, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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    Cited by:

    1. António Raposo & Fernando Ramos & Dele Raheem & Ariana Saraiva & Conrado Carrascosa, 2021. "Food Safety, Security, Sustainability and Nutrition as Priority Objectives of the Food Sector," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-4, July.
    2. Christiane Baldus & Simone Franz & Rainer Thomasius, 2022. "Help Needs among Parents and Families in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-18, October.
    3. Hannah Younes & Robert B. Noland & Wenwen Zhang, 2022. "Browsing for food: Will COVID‐induced online grocery delivery persist?," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 14(S1), pages 179-195, November.
    4. Y. Zhao & C. Huang & J. Luo, 2022. "How to Prepare for the Next Pandemic -- Investigation of Correlation Between Food Prices and COVID-19 From Global and Local Perspectives," Papers 2211.15515, arXiv.org.
    5. Anne E. Lally & Alban Morina & Leah N. Vermont & Jill N. Tirabassi & Lucia A. Leone, 2022. "Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mobile Produce Market Operations: Adaptations, Barriers, and Future Directions for Increasing Food Access," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-16, September.
    6. Bafowaa, Bridget Y. & Leschewski, Andrea, 2023. "Impact Of COVID-19 Relief Packages on US Household Food Expenditures," 2023 Annual Meeting, July 23-25, Washington D.C. 335676, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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