European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Humans require different quantities of diet to lead a healthy and active life. Good nutrition or proper intake of diet is necessary which is in relation with the body's dietary needs. A well balanced diet plays a major role and becomes the cornerstone of good health. The type of diet consumed by the people has lost it‟s quality over the years due to the work pressure and stress experienced by the people. During a pandemic, where people are forced to stay at their homes, the food consumption changes. There is a lot of possibility of people to change their diet inorder to improve the quality of their life. A questionnaire was prepared regarding the changes in the dietary habit of the people during the lockdown vs normal period. It was circulated among the people of Tamil Nadu. The questionnaire was uploaded in google forms. Finally, the data was collected, compiled and statistically analysed.The dietary habits have changed to a significant level during this lockdown period. There is an increase in the consumption of food during the lockdown when compared to the normal lifestyle.This study reveals that the lockdown has affected the people‟s dietary habits due to multifactorial reasons

Global markets have increased the plethora of options available to Indian consumers. With the clear shift in consumer tastes and preferences, food companies have also capitalized on the same. The food processing industry forms an important segment of the Indian economy in terms of contribution to GDP, employment and investment, and is a major driver in the country's growth in the near future. The objective of this study is to create awareness in food habits in the present era among the South Indian population. A well structured questionnaire was administered to the participants through an online survey link. The responses were analysed through descriptive statistics using SPSS software. The results depicted that, majority of participants were aware and had knowledge about the effect of food habits in their daily diet. There is a shift from opting to eat at home to opting to eat out. Also interestingly awareness about harmful effects of processed foods was high but the reason for consumption was attributed primarily to ease of purchase. Nutrition education for adolescents and parents is needed to promote healthy eating. Health Authorities should strengthen the monitoring of food intake and its association with overweight/obesity.