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The COVID-19 Pandemic Impacting Household Food Dynamics: A Cross-National Comparison of China and the U.S

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  • Dou, Zhengxia
  • Stefanovski, Darko
  • Galligan, David
  • Lindem, Margaret
  • Rozin, Paul
  • Chen, Ting
  • Chao, Ariana M.

Abstract

This cross-national survey-based study examined in real time how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted food-centric matters in 1,732 Chinese and 1,547 U.S. households during the stay-at-home directives. Both cohorts reported increased efficiency in use of food, families spending more time cooking and eating together, and more prudent use of food with less waste. Food purchasing patterns shifted from frequent trips to the store to dramatic increases in online ordering. A small proportion (11% Chinese, 2% U.S. respondents) reported clinically significant weight gains of >4.5 kg. Household food insecurity worsened, with large increases in people worrying about or experiencing food shortage. Collective grocery-shopping experience by survey respondents indicated that the functional stability of food supply systems remained steady. All food types were somewhat available, except for noticeably higher prices widely reported by the Chinese cohort. This study offers insights into future food patterns and sheds light on long-term questions for additional research about how people make decisions and food behavioral changes at times of crisis and the consequences thereafter.

Suggested Citation

  • Dou, Zhengxia & Stefanovski, Darko & Galligan, David & Lindem, Margaret & Rozin, Paul & Chen, Ting & Chao, Ariana M., 2020. "The COVID-19 Pandemic Impacting Household Food Dynamics: A Cross-National Comparison of China and the U.S," SocArXiv 64jwy, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:socarx:64jwy
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/64jwy
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Muhammad Umar & Mark Wilson & Jeff Heyl, 2017. "Food Network Resilience Against Natural Disasters: A Conceptual Framework," SAGE Open, , vol. 7(3), pages 21582440177, July.
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    RePEc Biblio mentions

    As found on the RePEc Biblio, the curated bibliography for Economics:
    1. > Economics of Welfare > Health Economics > Economics of Pandemics > Specific pandemics > Covid-19 > Economic consequences > Consumption > E-commerce

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    Cited by:

    1. Amuakwa-Mensah, Franklin & Amuakwa-Mensah, Salome & Klege, Rebecca Afua & Adom, Philip Kofi, 2022. "Stockpiling and food worries: Changing habits and choices in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 82(PA).
    2. Cui, Yi & Si, Wei & Zhao, Qiran & Feng, Xiaolong, 2021. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Dietary Diversity and Health of Children and Adolescents: Evidence from a Rural-Urban Panel Study," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315302, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    3. Fazel Hesham & Harizi Riadh & Nasr Khouadja Sihem, 2021. "What Have We Learned about the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Consumer Behavior?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-23, April.
    4. Ahmet Yağmur Ersoy & Metin Saygılı & Mustafa İlteriş Yılmaz & Mustafa Emre Uslu & İhsan Hakan Selvi, 2022. "Consumer Sentiment in Turkey, from Closure to the New Normal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-24, July.
    5. Valentina Gomes Haensel Schmitt & Mirza Marvel Cequea & Jessika Milagros Vásquez Neyra & Marcos Ferasso, 2021. "Consumption Behavior and Residential Food Waste during the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak in Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-21, March.
    6. Vijaya Bandyopadhyaya & Ranja Bandyopadhyaya, 2024. "Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak on Grocery Stocking Behaviour in India: A Pattern Mining Approach," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 25(3), pages 750-770, June.

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