AUTHOR=Tayyem Reema , Ibrahim Mohammed O. , Mortada Hussein , AlKhalaf Majid , Bookari Khlood , Al Sabbah Haleama , Qasrawi Radwan , Kamel Iman , Dashti Somaia , Allehdan Sabika , Bawadi Hiba , Waly Mostafa , Abuhijleh Haya , Hammouh Fadwa , Al-Awwad Narmeen , Al-Bayyari Nahla , Cheikh Ismail Leila , Abu Al-Halawa Diala , Othman Manal , The Regional CORONA COOKING Survey Group , Hoteit Maha , De Backer Charlotte , Teunissen Lauranna , Van Royen Kathleen , Cuykx Isabelle , Decorte Paulien , Ouvrein Gaëlle , Poels Karolien , Vandebosch Heidi , Maldoy Katrien , Pabian Sara , Matthys Christophe , Smits Tim , Vrinten Jules , DeSmet Ann , Teughels Nelleke , Geuens Maggie , Vermeir Iris , Proesmans Viktor , Hudders Liselot , Al-Mannai Mariam , Alalwan Tariq , Naim Elissa , Mansour Rania , Yazbeck Nour , Agha Hazem , Seir Rania Abu , Arrish Jamila , Fallata Ghadir , Alhumaidan Omar , Alakeel Shihana , AlBuayjan Norah , Alkhunein Sarah , Binobaydan Budur , Alshaya Aeshah , Aldhaheri Ayesha TITLE=Sex disparities in food consumption patterns, dietary diversity and determinants of self-reported body weight changes before and amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 10 Arab countries JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health VOLUME=10 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1029219 DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.1029219 ISSN=2296-2565 ABSTRACT=Background

The COVID-19 pandemic along with its confinement period boosted lifestyle modifications and impacted women and men differently which exacerbated existing gender inequalities. The main objective of this paper is to assess the gender-based differentials in food consumption patterns, dietary diversity and the determinants favoring weight change before and amid the COVID-19 pandemic among Arab men and women from 10 Arab countries.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted based on a convenience sample of 12,447 households' family members (mean age: 33.2 ± 12.9; 50.1% females) and information from participants aged 18 years and above was collected about periods before and during the pandemic.

Results

Findings showed that, during the COVID-19 period, the dietary diversity, declined by 1.9% among females compared to males (0.4%) (p < 0.001) and by 1.5% among overweight participants (p < 0.001) compared to their counterparts.

Conclusions

To conclude, gender-sensitive strategies and policies to address weight gain and dietary diversity during emergent shocks and pandemics are urgently needed in the region.