Contextual Research of Diet in Isolation

Project One

The goal of this research was to observe people’s diet, feelings, and situations during the COVID-19 pandemic to find out the influence of quarantine on diet aspect. We observed how self-quarantine makes people’s diet change? And what kind of lifestyle and diet is healthy during quarantine.

Problem

During COVID-19 pandemic, people have to self-quarantine for protecting their lives. Until April 28th, more than a third of the planet's population is under some form of restriction. From CDC, self-quarantine means a person is asked to stay in a separate room from other people in their homes and use a separate bathroom. Which means more than a third of people’s life was affected.

The data from Uber eats shows people eating more and unhealthier during self-quarantine in the last one month. At the same time, quarantine means people cannot go out to exercise.

In addition, the sales of alcohol and cannabis spiked in the past few weeks. It clearly shows that isolation has affected people’s lifestyles and diet.

 

Opportunity

During the pandemic of COVID-19, people's diet may be affected by different lifestyles, which might further affect people's health. We hope that, through the study of people's diet in this special period, we can identify changes and factors that cause the differences. Then we could have an opportunity, using the finding from our research, to find a way of improving people’s happiness and health.

Facts On Quarantine

  • Positives

    • Providing access to healthy foods can improve mental health symptoms, Population should aim to provide healthy foods required for improved mental health.

  • Neutrals

    • 95% Serotonin is produced and reserved in gut cells, which impacts mood and appetite.

  • Negatives

    • The sales of alcohol and cannabis spiked during the self-quarantine.​

    • People eat unhealthier and exercise less.

    • Self-quarantine increased mental and emotional stress.

    • Human bodies are tend to gain more weight under pressure or anxiety.

    • It is hypothesized that individuals with depression or anxiety would show lower fruit and vegetable intake and higher added sugar intake.

    • 38% Americans attribute unhealthy or excessive eating to stress.

    • Covid-19 pandemic, which could cause long-term health issues like substance abuse and the lack of physical stimulation.

 Stakeholders Map

AEIOU Observations

Affinity Diagram

Primary Research

• 72 Survey Respondents

• 13 Personal Interviews

 

94.1 % of People buy Groceries in the Market

 

35.3 % of People Eat Alone

 

Primary Research Findings

Comparison of Meals: Before and During Quarantine

Even though most people still eat 2 or 3 meals per day, the proportion of people eating two meals increases from 44.1% to 55.9%. One meal and four more both show an increasing trend. Almost half of the people believe that eating at a fixed time every day is healthier than eating when hungry.

 

47.1 % of People have no experience of Buying Groceries Online

Main Places for People to Eat

  • Kitchen

    29.4% of People eat in the Kitchen

  • Bedroom

    36.8% of People eat in the Bedroom

  • Dining Room

    36.8% of People eat in the Dining Room

Effects on Weight

Before and During Quarantine

 

Weight Gained

28.5 % of People Gained Weight During Quarantine

 
 

Maintained Weight

48.9% of People Maintained their Weight During Quarantine

 
 
 
 

Lost their Weight

22.6% of People lost their Weight During Quarantine Due to Diminished appetite

 

Moods and Diet During Quarantine

People

  • 20 to 30 years old people are living with their roommates and most of them cook their food by themselves.

  • • Comfort food Is more popular

    • People believe that organic food and vegetables are healthier than regular food

    • People believe that eating fast food take-outs is not good for health

    • Shelf-stable food is not good for health

  • • Dining habits

    • Shopping Patterns

  • • Outdoor activities

    • Use of human services

  • • Method of Cooking

    • Health

    • Diet

    • Ingredients & Nutrients

    • Schedule

 

Personas

TEAM

Project Duration: 10 Weeks

From Left to Right

Suhag Amin: Design Researcher & Strategist

Yvonne Hao: Graphics Designer

Haldis Gao: Data Organizer & Strategist

Shuai Ma: Graphics Designer

Fongkim Tang: Design Researcher

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