Lifestyle and eating behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in Turkey

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced individuals’ lifestyles, eating behaviours, and food ordering purchasing practices, potentially altering overall dietary patterns. This study aimed to determine lifestyle and eating behavior among Turkish adults during COVID-19. A survey was conducted in 2023 in Çanakkale using a Google Forms questionnaire to collect data from 365 Turkish individuals on sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, food purchasing habits, and dietary routines during the pandemic. Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to determine compare continuous variables across multiple groups. Findings revealed that 52.1% of participants experienced weight gain, 68.7% reported sleep disturbances, and exercise frequency declined during the pandemic. Conversely, smoking and alcohol consumption habits remained largely unchanged in about 60% of individuals. Employment status was found to significantly influence most lifestyle variables (p < 0.05). Regarding food shopping, 70.7% preferred chain supermarkets, while 46% engaged in online shopping, primarily for meat (47.7%) and snacks (27.4%). Online purchasing was significantly associated with age, education level, and employment (p < 0.05). A strong preference for homemade meals (94.8%) was also reported. In terms of dietary patterns, 58.1% maintained water intake, while 57.1% increased tea/coffee consumption. Daily meal frequency remained unchanged in 57.9%, yet notable increases were seen in the consumption of dairy/eggs (39.6%), fruits (38.4%), bread/pasta (34.1%), and meat (22.6%). About half reported greater intake of nutrient-dense foods, desserts, and snacks. This study reveals how COVID-19 affected dietary behaviors in Türkiye, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and offering valuable insights to guide healthier lifestyle promotion and future health emergency planning.