Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

The association between COVID-19 related income loss and diet quality: The mediating role of distress.

Keenan, Gregory; Royle, William; Marrow, Lynne; Scholey, Andrew; Benson, Sarah; J. Owen, Lauren

The association between COVID-19 related income loss and diet quality: The mediating role of distress. Thumbnail


Authors

Gregory Keenan

Andrew Scholey

Sarah Benson

Lauren J. Owen



Abstract

The COVID-19 lockdowns saw many individuals lose income, experience distress and increase intake of foods that would typically be considered less 'healthy' (more processed and less fresh produce). Establishing whether there are direct and indirect links between these variables would be of benefit in preparing for similar future events but also has implications for the current global financial climate, where many are experiencing relative decreases in income. Adults in two locations (UK and Australia) (N=917) completed online questionnaires to explore the impact of the first COVID-19 lockdown on their change in income, emotional wellbeing (depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness), resilience and diet quality. A structural equation model revealed that income loss was indirectly associated with diet quality via distress. As such, the greater the loss of income experienced, the more distress reported; distress was then directly associated with a less nutritious diet. This pattern of results existed when data from both countries were combined but also when they were modelled individually. Our findings indicate that where individuals experience a sudden reduction of income there are likely to be negative consequences for both mental and physical health. It is plausible that these findings would extend to other circumstances in which sudden loss of income may be experienced such as reductions in state social care, rising inflation and interest rates and sudden increases to the general cost of living. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.]

Citation

Keenan, G., Royle, W., Marrow, L., Scholey, A., Benson, S., & J. Owen, L. (2024). The association between COVID-19 related income loss and diet quality: The mediating role of distress. Appetite, 200, 107570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2024.107570

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 17, 2024
Online Publication Date Jun 19, 2024
Publication Date 2024-09
Deposit Date Jul 1, 2024
Publicly Available Date Jul 3, 2024
Journal Appetite
Print ISSN 0195-6663
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 200
Pages 107570
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2024.107570
Keywords Cost-of-living, Distress, Income loss, Food insecurity, COVID-19, Diet quality

Files





You might also like



Downloadable Citations