Perceived Body Weight and Food Choice Motives among Malaysian Adults: Comparative Study between the Pandemic and Endemic Phases of COVID-19

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted dietary patterns, food purchasing behaviors, and food choice motives. This study aimed to examine differences in perceived body weight and food choice motives between the pandemic and endemic phases and to investigate the associations between the motives among a sample of adults residing in Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 318 adults aged 18–55 years recruited in Selangor using a convenience sampling approach in year 2022. Data on perceived body weight were gathered using a single-item scale, and food choice motives were assessed via a validated 38-item Food Choice Questionnaire. During the pandemic, body weight and height were self-reported, while measurements during the endemic phase were taken by trained researchers. Results: The proportion of participants classified as obese rose from 41.2% during the pandemic to 50.6% in the endemic phase. Approximately, half of the respondents misperceived their body weight in both phases (47.8% and 46.9%, respectively). Food choice motives shifted significantly, with religion, price, and convenience being most influential during the endemic phase, compared to mood, religion, and price during the pandemic. However, perceived body weight was not significantly associated with food choice motives in either phase. Conclusion: This study offers important insights into the evolving nature of food choice motives and body weight perception across two key phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, with implications for designing public health interventions promoting healthier dietary behaviors and accurate weight perception in Malaysian adults.