Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on Food Consumption Habits of Consumers (Example of the central district of Tokat province)

Abstract

Taking long-term threats on food supply and safety, effects of Covid-19 pandemic on nutritional habits of consumers were investigated in this study. Consumers living in Yeşilyurt district of Tokat province in 2021 constituted the primary material of the present study. Simple random sampling method was used in selection of the sample size and 162 people participated into face-to-face interviews. Changes in food consumption habits of consumers before and after the pandemic were investigated. Present findings revealed an increase in monthly food expenditures of consumers during the pandemic period. About 45% of the participating consumers stated that their nutrition levels were affected during the pandemic period. The variables that had the highest positive correlation with the nutritional effects after Covid-19 pandemic were identified as consumption of dietary supplements (vitamins, etc.) and medicinal-aromatic plants after the pandemic. Path analysis was applied to survey findings and the variables with the greatest direct effects on nutritional level of the consumers after Covid-19 pandemic were identified as change in winter preparations (88.88%), monthly fruit consumption (84.59%) and monthly meat consumption (83.44%).