• Eilaf H Braiji, Eman A Abduljawad, and Amani A Alrasheedi.
• From the Food and Nutrition Department (Braiji, Abduljawad, Alrasheedi), Faculty of Human Sciences and Design, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah; and form the Department of Food and Nutrition Department (Braiji), Taibah University, Al Madina Al Munawara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Saudi Med J. 2022 Aug 1; 43 (8): 907914907-914.

ObjectivesTo investigate how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic quarantine affected Saudi adults' dietary behaviors and lifestyles in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study using an electronic questionnaire was adopted. A total of 476 Saudis residing in Jeddah were involved with the investigation. The study was carried out from March to May 2021. The questionnaire addressed dietary behaviors (types of foods consumed) and lifestyle behaviors (food shopping, physical activity, and sleep quality).ResultsThe study participants aged 18-65 years, 70.2% were females, mainly non-infected with coronavirus previously (88.7%). Fast food consumption as (pizza and burgers) decreased significantly during the quarantine period. However, consumption of snacks, sugars, and pastries increased significantly during the quarantine period. This could be attributed to the boredom and distress experience during this period. The results showed that participants reported a significant decreases in daily physical activity and shopping during the quarantine period. There was also a significant change in their sleep quality. Moreover, there were significant differences between males and females concerning eating snacks, healthy foods, sweetened beverages, pastries, physical activity, daily activities (housework and shopping), and smoking behavior.ConclusionThe COVID-19 quarantine period significantly affected Saudi adults' healthy eating behaviors and lifestyle.Copyright: © Saudi Medical Journal.

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