Association between household income and dietary changes in young children during the COVID-19 state of emergency in Japan from April to May 2020

Abstract

Objective: To determine the association between household income and changes in the diet of young children during the state of emergency declared in Japan due to COVID-19 from April to May 2020.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-completion questionnaire. We recruited 2,041 parents of children aged 3–5 years enrolled in nursery schools in five districts in Japan, from September to December 2020; 589 parents responded to the survey (response rate: 28.9%). Data were collected for basic demographic information, household income, and dietary changes in young children during the COVID-19 state of emergency. Income per household member was calculated and the households were divided into low-, medium-, and high-income groups. Logistic regression analyses were conducted using dietary changes in young children during the COVID-19 state of emergency as the dependent variable and household income as the independent variable.

Results: In the low-income group, there were numerous single-parent households as well as those whose education level was lower than high school. Compared to children in the high-income group, significantly more children in the low-income group consumed snacks, sweet drinks, instant foods, and canned foods in the emergency period.

Conclusion: The results suggest an association between household income and changes in the diet of young children during the emergency period. Households in the low-income group consumed snacks, sweet drinks, and instant foods than households in the high-income group during the emergency period.