scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on Health Behavior, Stress, Financial and Food Security among Middle to High Income Canadian Families with Young Children

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Carroll ◽  
Adam Sadowski ◽  
Amar Laila ◽  
Valerie Hruska ◽  
Madeline Nixon ◽  
...  

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many aspects of daily life. The purpose of this study was to identify how health behaviors, level of stress, financial and food security have been impacted by the pandemic among Canadian families with young children. Parents (mothers, n = 235 and fathers, n = 126) from 254 families participating in an ongoing study completed an online survey that included close and open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the quantitative data and qualitative responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. More than half of our sample reported that their eating and meal routines have changed since COVID-19; most commonly reported changes were eating more snack foods and spending more time cooking. Screen time increased among 74% of mothers, 61% of fathers, and 87% of children and physical activity decreased among 59% of mothers, 52% of fathers, and 52% of children. Key factors influencing family stress include balancing work with childcare/homeschooling and financial instability. While some unhealthful behaviors appeared to have been exacerbated, other more healthful behaviors also emerged since COVID-19. Research is needed to determine the longer-term impact of the pandemic on behaviors and to identify effective strategies to support families in the post-COVID-19 context.

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 138
Author(s):  
Edyta Swider-Cios ◽  
Katalin Solymosi ◽  
Mangala Srinivas

We would like to share data from a survey run by the Young Academy of Europe (YAE) from June to October 2020, with questions aiming to unravel the situation of early-career researchers (including early stage group leaders) working in Europe, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We were particularly interested in the impact of care activities (related to young children or other family members), and the impact of gender. We include the online survey and collected data, without identifying information. The survey is published in Nature Career Column (July, 2021) (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01952-6).


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 202-202
Author(s):  
Shahmir Ali ◽  
Niyati Parekh ◽  
Ariadna Capasso ◽  
Yesim Tozan ◽  
Abbey Jones ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed both a health and economic crisis in the US, with growing concerns on how eating behaviors and food security (risk factors of non-communicable disease) have changed. This study examines changes in food insecurity and eating behaviors during the early months of the pandemic among US adults. Methods A nationwide survey of US adults was conducted in April 2020 through social-media advertisement-based recruitment to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Food insecurity was measured using a six-item validated USDA Household Food Security instrument. Eating behaviors were assessed by asking participants how their eating has changed since the pandemic (“Much More” to “Much Less”). Sociodemographic differences in food behaviors were assessed with chi-square tests, and an adjusted logistic regression model evaluated the association between food insecurity and eating behaviors. Results Overall, 5256 participants had data on eating behaviors; 58.6% were female, 43.8% aged 40–59 years old, and 56.4% were employed. Eating remained unchanged for most participants (52.7%), while 34.6% noted eating more, and 12.7% noted eating less since the pandemic. 85.3% of participants displayed high/marginal food insecurity, while 14.7% displayed low/very-low food security. Compared to those eating more during the pandemic, those eating less were more likely to be younger (24.7% vs. 17.4% aged 18–39), male (42.0% vs. 33.4%), not working, or unemployed (17.1% vs. 13.7%), and make <$30,000 a year (20.7% vs. 12.6%). When adjusting for socio-demographic variables, compared to those whose eating behavior did not change, the adjusted odds of low/very-low food insecurity was higher among both those who were eating less (AOR:6.44, 95%CI:4.96–8.37) and eating more (AOR:1.67, 95%CI:1.33–2.09). Conclusions Our findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed significant food insecurity, with food insecurity being associated with bidirectional changes in food consumption. Public health professionals must critically examine the various contributors of eating behaviors during the pandemic and their link with food insecurity to develop targeted interventions. Funding Sources N/A


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Marleine Richter ◽  
Sara Naomi Naicker

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures have severely affected families around the world. It is frequently assumed that digital technologies can supplement and perhaps even replace services for families. This is challenging in conditions of high device and data costs as well as poor internet provision and access, raising concerns about widening inequalities in availability of support and consequent effects on child and family outcomes. Very few studies have examined these issues, including in low- and middle-income countries. OBJECTIVE The main aim of the study was to gather data on the impact of COVID-19 on families of young children using an online survey. A secondary aim was to assess the feasibility of using a data-free online platform to conduct regular surveys and, potentially, to provide support for parents and families of young children in South Africa. METHODS We used a data-free mobile messenger platform to conduct a short digital survey of the impact of COVID-19 on caring for young children in South Africa. RESULTS More than 16,000 people consented to the short survey within 96 hours of it being launched. Respondents were predominantly from lower- and lower-middle classes, representing the majority of the population, with residential locations roughly proportionate to national patterns. Mothers comprised 70% of respondents and fathers 30%. Using RedCAP, we made aggregate findings in the form of bar graphs, available to participants to view and download once they had completed the survey. Participants were also able to download contact details for support and referral services at no cost. CONCLUSIONS Data-free survey methodology breaks new ground and demonstrates potential not previously considered. Reach is greater than achieved through phone surveys and some social media platforms, men are not usually included in parent surveys, costs are lower than phone surveys, and the technology allows for immediate feedback to respondents. These factors suggest that zero-rated services could provide a feasible, sustainable and equitable basis for ongoing interactions with families of young children.


Author(s):  
Didar Büyüker İşler

The aim of this research is to examine, the microblogging sites, Twitter which have considerably been used in recent years within the scope of one of the marketing strategies; experimental marketing. In this sense, the impact of the different dimensions of experiential marketing on the satisfaction of the Twitter users was tested by means of social networks. An online survey was published for this purpose and the findings were analyzed within the scope of the hypothesis identified by the SPSS 17.0 program. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis and multiple regression analysis were used during the study. As a result of the findings, all of the five asserted hypothesis were verified. User satisfaction and all the different dimensions of experiential marketing such as sense, feeling, thinking, acting and familiarizing are in a positive and linear relationship.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine LaBrenz ◽  
Philip Baiden ◽  
Erin Findley ◽  
Patrick S. Tennant ◽  
Sreyashi Chakravarty

Abstract Since March 2020, families across the U.S. have faced challenges due to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its subsequent restrictions. Prior literature has linked family stress to negative outcomes, such as parent and child mental health, increased risk of child maltreatment, and overall well-being, as well as protective factors that may help families navigate and respond to stressors. Furthermore, parental history of trauma, such as exposure to adversity in one’s own childhood, has been linked to stress and resilience. Although some experts have voiced concern over the impact of COVID-19 on family well-being, few studies have been conducted thus far. This study utilized N = 523 responses from an online survey that was administered between May and June 2020 to gauge family stress and resilience among parents of children ages zero-to-five during the pandemic. There was a negative relationship between ACE score and parental resilience among this sample. Furthermore, frequency of childcare was positively linked to protective factors and resilience, while childcare barriers were negatively linked to resilience. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed, with a particular focus on the role of childcare and school openings during the pandemic.


Author(s):  
James J. Clark ◽  
Cassandra M. Linder

Abstract OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of a novel communication and consultation skills model (WISE COACH [WC]) on dog owner perceptions of veterinarians and projected spending on veterinary care. SAMPLE 1,200 US dog owners who had visited a veterinarian within the prior 18 months. PROCEDURES Video recordings of 2 staged client consultations were made, with the veterinarian following the WC recommendations in one video and not following them in the other (control). Participants were randomly assigned to view one of the videos and completed an online survey to assess their perceptions and projected spending. Qualitative responses were coded to identify themes. RESULTS The veterinarian was rated significantly higher in the WC video than in the control video for the characteristics first impression, skilled and knowledgeable, cares about me, cares about my pet, and communicates clearly, and was rated significantly lower for the characteristic rushed or abrupt. Participants who viewed the WC video were significantly more likely to follow the veterinarian’s recommendations, return to see the veterinarian, and recommend the veterinarian. They were also approximately 1.4 times as likely to approve the full recommended treatment plan, and their projected total spending was approximately 15% higher than projected spending for participants who viewed the control video. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results showed improved client perceptions, client retention, quality of patient care, and financial metrics when the veterinarian followed the WC recommendations. Further study is needed to determine whether this model may also improve veterinarian well-being by improving client relationships and decreasing resistance to recommendations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-87
Author(s):  
Akinwumi Sharimakin ◽  
James Temitope Dada

AbstractResearch purpose: Food security remains a major component of economic development. Many developing nations are facing challenges of food insecurity, which had contributed to starvation and other societal problems. With adequate food intake, human healthy living is assured. This study investigates the impact of access to formal finance and indigenous technology and knowledge on food security in Ondo central senatorial district in Ondo state, Nigeria.Methodology: In total, 216 farmers were sampled, and data were collected through a well-structured questionnaire and focus interviews. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and logit estimation technique.Findings: Descriptive statistics show that there are more male farmers (61.1%) than female counterparts (38.9%), with most of the farmers (42.7%) in their ages 56 years and above and with 51.9% having primary education. Majority of the farmers (65.7%) engage in arable crop farming, while 15.2 and 19.1% engage in cash crop and livestock farming, respectively. The econometric model reveals that age, income, gender, education, marital status, religion, family size, assets owned and distance are major determinants of a farmer’s decision on account ownership, savings and borrowing. Indigenous knowledge of soil fertility, disease-resistant and quickly-growing crops, food storage, local weather, water management, pest and diseases control are significant determinants of food security in Ondo central senatorial district. Likewise, account ownership, savings and borrowing from formal financial institutions are significant determinants of food security.Practical implications: It is, therefore, important that efforts to ease access to formal financial services and improve indigenous technology to serve as complement to modern farming techniques to achieve food security be made a priority by government and private institutions.


Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 575
Author(s):  
Meike Rombach ◽  
David L. Dean ◽  
Tim Baird

This study provides insights for managers in the food retail sector, the horticultural industry, actors involved in community gardening and farmers’ markets. It proposes a model that investigates key factors determining US consumer preferences for growing fruit over buying it in pre-Covidian and Covidian times. For this purpose, an online survey with a sample of 383 US residents was conducted. Partial least squares structural equation modelling shows that subjective knowledge about fruit and the perceived impact of COVID-19 are the most important drivers of preferences for growing over buying in Covidian times. The impact of COVID-19 had no relevance for the pre-Covidian times. For both scenarios, only age and gender as socio-demographic factors were found to influence subjective knowledge and the perceived impact of COVID-19. Other sociodemographic factors were not found to have any impact.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy M. Butcher ◽  
Maria M. Ryan ◽  
Therese A. O’Sullivan ◽  
Johnny Lo ◽  
Amanda Devine

Dietary compromises related to food insecurity profoundly undermine health and constitute a serious public health issue, even in developed nations. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of food labelling and product attributes on the purchasing choices of food-insecure households in Australia. An online survey containing 19 food choice and 28 purchasing behaviours questions was completed by 1056 adults responsible for household grocery shopping. The short form of the US Household Food Security Survey Module was used as the food security indicator. Multinomial logistic regression modelling was employed to analyse the survey data. Respondents were classified as having either high-marginal (63.4%, n = 670), low (19.8%, n = 209) or very low (16.8%, n = 177) food security. Respondents with low or very low food security status were less likely to self-report understanding the information on the back of packaging (p < 0.001), find information on food labels useful (p = 0.002) or be influenced by product nutrition information (p = 0.002). Convenience (p < 0.001), organic (p = 0.027) and supermarket-branded products (p < 0.001) were more likely to be rated as important by food-insecure respondents when compared to their food-secure counterparts. When asked to rate “how healthy” their diet was, high–marginal FS respondents were twice as likely describe their diet as healthy than very low FS respondents (p = 0.001).


Author(s):  
Michelle Symons ◽  
Carmem Meira Cunha ◽  
Karolien Poels ◽  
Heidi Vandebosch ◽  
Nathalie Dens ◽  
...  

The measures to fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have been concentrated on inviting people to stay at home. This has reduced opportunities to exercise while also shedding some light on the importance of physical health. Based on an online survey, this paper investigated physical activity behaviours of a Belgians sample (n = 427) during the lockdown period between the end of May 2020 and the beginning of June 2020 and found that, during this period, the gap between sufficiently and insufficiently active individuals widened even more. This paper analysed important moderators of physical activity behaviours, such as barriers and benefits to exercise, digital support used to exercise, and individuals’ emotional well-being. Descriptive analysis and analyses of variance indicated that, generally, individuals significantly increased their engagement in exercise, especially light- and moderate-intensity activities, mostly accepted the listed benefits but refused the listed barriers, increased their engagement in digital support and did not score high on any affective measures. A comparison between sufficiently active and insufficiently active individuals during the lockdown showed that the former engaged even more in physical activity, whereas the latter exercised equally (i.e., not enough) or even less compared to before the lockdown. By means of a logistic regression, five key factors of belonging to the sufficiently active group were revealed and discussed. Practical implications for government and policies are reviewed.


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