Effect of the Pandemic on College Student Eating Habits

Abstract

A survey of 359 College students was conducted to determine effects of the pandemic on eating habits. An online survey through Qualtrics™ was used to administer the survey. Participants stated that they ate more home-cooked meals, ate more snack foods and felt less comfortable eating at buffets/salad bars due to the pandemic. Overall, respondents did not eat more fruit/ vegetables, eat less meat, or feel less comfortable eating at a restaurant. However, there was a significant correlation due to gender in responses to eating more fruit/vegetables, eating more take-out food and feeling comfortable eating at a restaurant. Overall, gender had a significant effect on how college-age students changed their eating habits due to the pandemic