Food behavior changes during the covid-19 pandemic: Statistical analysis of consumer survey data from bosnia and herzegovina
| Author | Ben Hassen, Tarek |
| Author | El Bilali, Hamid |
| Author | Allahyari, Mohammad S. |
| Author | Karabašević, Darjan |
| Author | Radosavac, Adriana |
| Author | Berjan, Sinisa |
| Author | Vaško, Željko |
| Author | Radanov, Pavle |
| Author | Obhođaš, Ibrahim |
| Available date | 2023-12-07T07:32:04Z |
| Publication Date | 2021 |
| Publication Name | Sustainability (Switzerland) |
| Resource | Scopus |
| ISSN | 20711050 |
| Abstract | Bosnia and Herzegovina has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing quarantine and other social distancing measures. These measures, however, have mental, social, and economic consequences on diet and food behaviors. The Bosnian case is particularly pertinent since the country has one of the highest global mortality rates relative to its population. In addition, its health system is fragmented and under-resourced. Consequently, in this study, we analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Bosnians' behaviors relating to food. It is based on an online survey performed during October-November 2020 with 3133 adult respondents. The statistical analysis encompassed descriptive statistics (means, percentages, and frequencies), as well as cluster analysis. The results reveal that the pandemic transformed consumers' shopping behaviors and food sourcing, reducing shopping frequency and increasing food bought on each trip. Furthermore, there was an increase in the consumption of local food items due to food safety concerns. Addition-ally, the pandemic improved the awareness of Bosnians towards food with a decrease in food waste. Regarding diets, Bosnians tried to have healthier diets during the pandemic. Therefore, COVID-19 might have opened a 'window of opportunity' to promote the shift towards more sustainable food consumption and lifestyles. |
| Sponsor | This study was conducted as part of an international research project entitled "Consumer Agency, Food Consumption Behavior, and Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak," which was sponsored by Western Michigan University's Food Industry Research and Education Center (FIRE) [26]. The study is based on an online questionnaire performed via Survey Monkey in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 15 October to 16 November 2020 (during the third wave of COVID-19). The link to the survey was sent through email and social media (e.g., Instagram and Twitter). The survey utilized the snowball sampling technique, and participants were invited to disseminate the online survey to their friends and family. The non-probability sampling technique was employed; the study's participants volunteered to take part. Each responder was informed of the study's objectives and context before signing a digital informed consent form covering privacy and information management rules. |
| Language | en |
| Publisher | MDPI AG |
| Subject | Balkans Bosnia and Herzegovina COVID-19 Diet Food behavior Food shopping Food waste |
| Type | Article |
| Issue Number | 15 |
| Volume Number | 13 |
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COVID-19 Research [838 items ]
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International Affairs [160 items ]