Aim: This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the correlations between food security, diet quality and weight change among working women during the endemic phase of COVID-19 in the Klang Valley of Malaysia.
Methods: Working women aged 18-49 years were required to self-report their socio-demographics and pre-pandemic body weight (body weight during February 2020). Body height and current body weight were measured using a SECA stadiometer and TANITA weighing scale. Food security was assessed using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES); the diet quality was determined with the Diet Quality Questionnaire (DQQ) for Malaysia.
Results: The prevalence of moderate-to-severe food insecurity was 19.9%. It is noted that 64.3% of working women gained weight throughout the pandemic, with an average weight gain of 4.36 ± 3.19 kg. Concerning diet quality, the majority (82.5%) achieved the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W). Findings from linear regression revealed that food security was not significantly correlated with weight change. However, working women who failed to achieve the MDD-W gained, on average, 1.853 kg more than those who did (p = 0.040). On the other hand, no significant correlation was observed between food security status and diet quality in weight change of working women.
Conclusion: The current study shall provide an impetus to develop intervention strategies for promoting healthy eating among working women.
Keywords: Diet quality; Endemic phase of COVID-19; Food security; Weight change; Working women.
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