(PO05-40-22) An Analysis of COVID-19 Lock-Down Panic Buying Motivators Among Undergraduate Students

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Presenting Author(s)

NU

Natalia A. Urrutia-Alvarez, BS
– Undergraduate Student, Louisiana State University, Mcallen, Texas, United States

Co-Author(s)

AT

Alexis Theriot, BS
– Louisiana State University
Erin M. McKinley, PhD, RD, LDN, CLC, CHES
– Assistant Professor & Director of Dietetics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

Disclosure(s):

Natalia Urrutia-Alvarez, BS: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Erin M. McKinley, PhD, RD, LDN, CLC, CHES: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Objectives: The main goal of the study was to investigate decision-making patterns of undergraduate college students in circumstances that lend themselves to panic-buying (e.g. mandatory lock-down scenarios). A secondary aim of the study was to highlight possible differences in thinking between those who felt they successfully prepared for these scenarios (specifically considering barriers such as financial stability), and those who feel they did not.

Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was completed by 200 undergraduate students enrolled at Louisiana State University in early 2021. The 30-item survey assessed sample demographics, comfort, finances, COVID-19 diagnosis, and further, the degree to which 16 literature-driven panic-buying elements resonated with participants.

Results: The majority-white (79.6%) sample fell into two buying mindsets. One (n=98) is nutrient-content oriented (i.e., fresh not frozen, long shelf life, only what is available for their diet). A smaller subset (n=65) shared nutrient concerns and further shopped to feel in control. The white students had significantly higher financial means (p=.022) and higher comfort (p < .001) than the Black students, to shop for food during COVID-19.

Conclusions: When college students are faced with purchasing food in a pandemic, there is a large focus on nutrient content when shopping. It is important to reinforce that students know how to find healthy foods that fit their diet. To better enable students to obtain nutritious foods, college health educators should help build good shopping habits while acknowledging that not all students have the same means to acquire what is needed.

Funding Sources: This work was supported by the Louisiana Board of Regents Enhancement Grant Initiative-LEQSF (2019-20)-ENH-DE-05 and the LSU Discover Undergraduate Research Grant Initiative.