A population-level comparison analysis of red meat, white meat and vegetable consumption among adults aged 60+ years before, during and after COVID-19 pandemic in regional China

This study aimed to compare red meat, white meat and vegetable consumption before, during and after COVID-19 pandemic among older adults in regional China. Data were collected from individuals aged 60+ years in urban areas of Nanjing, China, in 2018, 2021 and 2023. Differences in food intake frequencies between participants and survey years were examined. Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to identify influencing factors of red plus white meat, and vegetable consumption. Totally, 13792 participants were analyzed, with 4355, 4622 and 4815 from 2018, 2021 and 2023 survey, respectively. The mean weekly intake frequency (± standard deviation) among participants in 2018, 2021 and 2023 was, separately, 3.85±2.83, 3.21±2.90 and 4.71±3.94 for red meat, 1.38±1.21, 2.08±1.90 and 2.73±2.55 for white meat, and 10.98±4.84, 10.00±5.04 and 10.34±5.04 for vegetable. Moreover, 23.2%, 32.6% and 52.3% of participants met recommendation for red plus white meat intake, while 53.7%, 46.8% and 49.6% reached recommendation for vegetable consumption before, during and after COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. Red plus white meat intake was positively associated with education, marital status and drinking, but negatively associated with age. Additionally, education and marital status were in negative relation to vegetable consumption, while smoking and drinking were positively associated with vegetable intake. The older residents consumed less red meat and vegetable but more white meat during COVID-19 pandemic, and their consumption levels of red plus white meat and vegetable went up after the pandemic. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to support older adults’ dietary habits during emergency events.