Poll of older adults suggests impact of COVID-19 on eating habits

New results from the National Poll on Healthy Aging [pdf], carried out by the University of Michigan (U-M) Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation with support from AARP and Michigan Medicine, show that most adults aged 50 and older were capable home cooks just before COVID-19 struck America, but only 5% had ordered groceries online. The poll, which surveyed more than 2,000 adults aged 50 to 80, was taken before the pandemic changed guidance about going to the grocery store, closed most sit-down restaurants, and altered everything from incomes to social gatherings.

The cooking skills that enabled half of older adults to eat dinner at home six or seven days a week may have served them well during the height of the pandemic, the poll suggests. However, they may need added support for grocery shopping as the pandemic continues and older adults seek to avoid COVID-19.

Those who cooked dinner at home the most often before the pandemic were most likely to rate the overall health of their diet as excellent or very good. And those who said their physical health was excellent or very good were the most likely to say they were confident in their cooking skills or enjoyed cooking.

But the poll also showed vulnerability for many older adults. One in four said they already ate most or all their meals alone, even before the pandemic led to social distancing rules. Solo diners reported less healthy diets than those who rarely or never ate alone.

In addition, 11% of older adults ate fast food three times a week or more. This group was less likely to call their overall diet healthy.

“Public health guidance to avoid infection will continue to alter food-buying habits for many older people and those with health conditions, so further support for them may be needed to ensure healthy habits continue,” said Julia Wolfson, an assistant professor of health management and policy at the U-M School of Public Health, in a press release. “That could include more assistance with online ordering for no-contact pickup or delivery.”

Pandemic-related income disruptions from lost jobs or retirement investment losses may mean fewer restaurant meals for many. This makes less expensive home cooking options, and food support such as federal SNAP benefits, Meals on Wheels, and food pantries more important. It may also increase reliance on lower-cost, but less nutritious, fast food.

Even as the intensity of the pandemic eases, at least for now, the continued attention to avoiding infection will be a focus for many older adults, who are most at risk of serious or fatal cases of COVID-19. That’s why the AARP is continuing to explore the shopping and dining habits of adults aged 50 and older, with new polling that is expected to be released this summer.