A cross-sectional study of the association between frequency of telecommuting and unhealthy dietary habits among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundAs a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, telecommuting has become a new way of working that has not only changed individuals work, but also their health, lifestyle, family and community relationships. However, the impact of telecommuting on diet is not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between telecommuting frequency and unhealthy dietary habits among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsA total of 33,302 Japanese workers completed an Internet survey about telecommuting and dietary habits. Data from 13,468 office workers who telecommuted were analyzed. Telecommuting frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic was extracted from a questionnaire. The odds ratios (ORs) of four types of dietary habits, namely, skipping breakfast, solitary eating, lower meal frequency, and meal substitution associated with telecommuting frequency were estimated using multilevel logistic regression. ResultsThe multivariate OR of skipping breakfast was 1.15 (95% CI: 1.03-1.29, p=0.013) for participants who telecommuted in excess of four days per week compared to those who rarely telecommuted. Similarly, the multivariate OR of solitary eating, lower meal frequency and meal substitution were 1.44 (95%CI: 1.28-1.63, p<0.001), 2.39 (95%CI: 1.66-3.44, p<0.001), and 1.26 (95%CI: 1.04-1.51, p=0.015) for those who telecommuted in excess of four days per week compared to those who rarely telecommuted. There was a statistically significant increase in the dose-response trend in ORs of solitary eating (p for trend <0.001), lower meal frequency (p for trend <0.001), and meal substitution (p for trend =0.001) with increasing telecommuting frequency. ConclusionIncreasing telecommuting frequency was associated with an increasing number of unhealthy dietary habits in Japanese workers. Telecommuting during the COVID-19 pandemic, together with other social changes such as refraining from going out and socializing, is having a significant impact on workers daily lives and behaviors. This study suggests that in addition to challenges related to physical activity, loneliness, and mental health, telecommuters may also be developing unhealthy dietary habits, indicating the need for strategies to help telecommuters manage their nutrition and diet. Trial registrationN.A.