Pre-COVID-19 Poll of Older Adults Hints at Potential Impact of Pandemic on Eating Habits

The National Poll on Healthy Aging found that Americans in their 50s and older were capable home cooks right before the COVID-19 outbreak, yet just 5 percent had ordered groceries online, reports ScienceDaily . Subjects who cooked dinner at home most often before the pandemic were most likely to rate the overall health of their diet as excellent or very good. Those rating their physical health as excellent or very good also were the most likely to express confidence in their cooking skills or to enjoy cooking. Yet one in four respondents said they already ate most or all of their meals alone, even before social-distancing rules were imposed. Solitary diners reported less healthy diets than those who rarely or never ate alone, and 11 percent of older adults ate fast food three times a week or more. This data provides a baseline comprehension of the food shopping, culinary, and dining out habits of older Americans shortly before COVID-19. "Public health guidance to avoid infection will continue to alter food-buying habits for many older people and those with health conditions, so further support for them may be needed to ensure healthy habits continue," said University of Michigan School of Public Health Professor Julia Wolfson. "That could include more assistance with online ordering for no-contact pickup or delivery."