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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Diet Quality and Food Insecurity: a NutriQuébec Sub-study

Completed
Conditions
Eating Habits
Registration Number
NCT04371848
Lead Sponsor
Laval University
Brief Summary

The unprecedented confinement and social distancing rules imposed by the fight against COVID-19 has forced the majority of the population worldwide to stay home for periods of time ranging from weeks to months. Eating habits are undoubtedly perturbed during this period, with consequential impact on food security. Therefore, the primary aim of this NutriQuébec sub-study is to document the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on diet quality and food insecurity of adults in the province of Québec in Canada.

NutriQuébec is a web-based prospective cohort study launched in June 2019 whose primary aim is to provide data for the evaluation of the Government Health Prevention Policy on the Québec population's eating habits over the years (NCT04140071). Participants of NutriQuébec are invited to complete on a web-based platform nine core questionnaires on a yearly basis. Questionnaires assess several dimensions related to lifestyle, including eating habits and physical activity habits, as well as a large number of personal characteristics and global health status.

For the purpose of this sub-study, NutriQuebec will invite the 2465 active participants who completed the first-year questionnaires prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to fill out again those questionnaires during the peak period of the confinement period in April and May, 2020. This NutriQuébec sub-study will provide invaluable data on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacts diet quality and food insecurity of adults in the province of Québec.

Detailed Description

The 2465 active participants of NutriQuébec who completed the first-year questionnaires prior to the COVID-19 pandemic will be invited to provide informed consent to participate in this sub-study. Once having consented, participants will be invited to complete the core questionnaires by logging into their personal and secured account. Participants will have a three-week period to complete the questionnaires, from April 16 to May 7, 2020.

Core questionnaires in NutriQuébec assess lifestyle habits including eating habits, physical activity habits, sleep quality, tobacco, alcohol and drug habits as well as pandemic behaviors, personal characteristics, food insecurity, health status and health-related quality of life. Most of these questionnaires are based on a one-month recall timeframe, with the exception of the eating habits questionnaires, which is in the form of repeated 24-h recall. For the purpose of this NutriQuébec substudy, questionnaires were adapted to focus on habits during the last 7 days of questionnaire completion, to reflect more specifically the confinement period.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
2465
Inclusion Criteria
  • Adults aged 18 and over with a residential address in Québec (Canada)
  • Be able to read and understand French or English
  • Have access to Internet (with a computer, electronic tablet or cell phone)
  • Have an active email address
Exclusion Criteria
  • None

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in diet quality0 to 11 months

Diet quality during the study period will be assessed using dietary intake data from the average of 3 validated Web-based 24-hour recalls (R24W)

Change in food insecurity0 to 11 months

Food insecurity during the study period will be assessed using the series of questions of the Household Food Security Survey Module from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)-2017

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in intake of sugar0 to 11 months

Intake of sugar during the study period will be assessed using dietary intake data from the average of 3 validated Web-based 24-hour recalls (R24W)

Change in intake of dairy products0 to 11 months

Intake of dairy products during the study period will be assessed using dietary intake data from the average of 3 validated Web-based 24-hour recalls (R24W)

Change in physical activity0 to 11 months

Physical activity during the study period will be assessed primarily using the EPIC-Norfolk Work and leisure time physical activity questionnaire, which categorizes participants into one of 4 groups based on physical activity at work and during leisure time: 1- Inactive, 2- Moderately inactive, 3- moderately active, 4- Active.

Change in sleep quality0 to 11 months

Sleep quality during the study period will be assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire with a score varying between 0 and 21; lower score indicates a better sleep quality.

Change in health-related quality of life0 to 11 months

Quality of life during the study period will be assessed using the Short form (SF)-36 health-related quality of life questionnaire, which yields eight subscale scores that are analyzed individually: physical function, role physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, and mental health. Each subscale has a score varying between 0 and 100; higher scores indicate a better quality of life for each individual subscale.

Change in intake of sodium0 to 11 months

Intake of sodium during the study period will be assessed using dietary intake data from the average of 3 validated Web-based 24-hour recalls (R24W)

Change in intake of saturated fat0 to 11 months

Intake of saturated fat during the study period will be assessed using dietary intake data from the average of 3 validated Web-based 24-hour recalls (R24W)

Change in intake of vegetables and fruits0 to 11 months

Intake of vegetables and fruits during the study period will be assessed using dietary intake data from the average of 3 validated Web-based 24-hour recalls (R24W)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Université Laval

🇨🇦

Québec, Canada

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