How COVID-19 permanently shifted diet, supplements, physical activity, and health priorities worldwide
January 12, 2026
The pandemic transformed daily habits; shifting diets, boosting supplement use, reducing physical activity, and changing how people managed their health.
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped everyday health behaviors around the world, altering how people eat, move, and seek to protect their health – often in the absence of clear, evidence-based guidance.
Following the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic on 11 March 2020 by the World Health Organization, many countries imposed restrictions on physical contact and limited access to healthcare services. A great deal of fear and uncertainty prompted people to look for alternative ways to protect their health by selecting food, vitamins and supplements to boost their immune systems. At the same time, sports clubs closed, and people spent more time at home, often leading to a sedentary lifestyle, with hours spent in front of screens. Forced social isolation and quarantine have radically changed everyday life, and in many cases, led to a decrease in physical activity. Meanwhile, social media actively promoted food supplements as a means of combating COVID-19, despite a lack of scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness. It was clear that people’s daily habits had changed, but there was a lack of clear representative data showing how the pandemic affected people’s diet, food supplement consumption and physical activity, or how these parameters changed during and after the pandemic. To obtain accurate data and identify disparities between different population groups, a representative population-wide study was initiated. This was the first study of its kind in Lithuania to cover the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and the two years that followed. The survey was conducted three times, in 2021, 2022 and 2023, across different counties, major cities and rural areas. Each time, 1,600 residents were surveyed using a sampling method that ensured representativeness, meaning every resident had an equal chance of being included. Respondents met the target criteria for gender, age, place of residence and other key characteristics, allowing the results to accurately reflect the population. Are dietary choices beneficial to my health? Before the pandemic, most people chose food on a relatively simple basis. The most important criteria were taste (37%) and price (24%), while health benefits of the product was only considered in third place. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, altered attitudes towards food and nutrition. Data from the 2021–2023 surveys show that, for the first time, many people prioritized the question: “Is it beneficial for my health?” when choosing food. Health benefits overtook price as the primary consideration, while taste became secondary. People are increasingly focused on foods perceived as strengthening the body rather than those that are simply appealing in taste or lower in cost. Urban residents adopted healthier eating habits more quickly than those in rural areas, although concern for health increased across all population groups. After the pandemic ended, however, food choices gradually shifted back towards taste and price, with health no longer as decisive a factor as it had been during the height of the pandemic. Post-pandemic changes in physical activity During the pandemic, approximately half of the working-age population was at least somewhat physically active, either by attending training sessions or playing sports in their free time. Nearly half of the population did not exercise at all, about one-third reported a decrease in physical activity, and only about one in nine said that their activity increased. The greatest decline was observed among individuals who had exercised occasionally or irregularly prior to the pandemic. In contrast, those who either did not exercise at all or exercised very actively and maintained regular training reported smaller changes, as their habits were either very weak or very strong. Following the pandemic, individuals who had been regularly active increased their physical activity, resuming training and even intensifying their exercise routines. Those who exercised only occasionally or had previously been inactive showed some temporary improvement; however, by 2023, their activity levels had returned to their previous levels. Women experienced a larger decrease in physical activity than men, and urban residents were more likely than rural residents to report reduced activity levels. In other words, the pandemic acted as a ‘pause’ for many, and afterwards, not everyone managed to regain momentum and return to their previous routines. Are dietary supplements just an illusion of protection against disease? The consumption of dietary supplements increased during the pandemic, and patterns of use became more pronounced. Even before the pandemic, more than two-thirds (67.2%) of people used these supplements at least occasionally, but only a small proportion (10%) used them regularly. During the pandemic, the number of regular users increased. There was a noticeable increase in supplements targeting the immune, cardiovascular, and joint systems, as well as bone health. This suggests that people viewed supplements as a way to “fortify” themselves against illness. At the same time, the use of supplements related to energy, memory, sleep or sports declined, indicating a shift away from productivity or performance towards perceived protection from disease. Following the pandemic, overall supplement use declined significantly; however, in 2023, it increased slightly again to 72.7%. The reasons for supplement use remained largely unchanged, but far fewer respondents cited “protection against COVID-19,” suggesting a growing awareness that supplements are not a miracle cure. Women, younger adults with university degrees, urban residents, higher earners and those who chose food for its health benefits were more likely to use supplements. An interesting correlation emerged: supplement users were more likely to be physically active, while non-users were more likely to report that their physical activity remained unchanged during the pandemic. In the future, behavior during a pandemic will be easier to predict The study examines changes in nutrition, dietary supplement use and physical activity among adults between 2021 and 2023, while also highlighting differences related to gender, age, education, income and place of residence. Although based on national data, the findings reflect broader behavioral patterns observed internationally. The results can be used to plan health promotion programs in municipalities, schools and communities, as well as to identify inequalities and population groups that should be prioritized in preventive initiatives. Based on the survey results, recommendations can be formulated for public health agencies and other institutions. These include educating the public about healthy nutrition, emphasizing the nutritional value of food products, teaching the rational and targeted use of dietary supplements, promoting physically active lifestyles and encouraging regular exercise through tailored interventions. These recommendations, together with the data on the behavior of different groups, can serve as a valuable basis for planning information campaigns and preventive measures in the event of a similar pandemic in the future. Attention should be given to health literacy, the critical selection of dietary supplements, and the importance of maintaining physical activity, especially among young people, urban residents and women, whose activity tends to decline the most. It is very important to monitor and record changes and inconsistencies and continuing the research by analyzing data for 2024 and 2025, which allows to assess the situation and predict future changes. These findings will be useful for public health policymakers and for preparing strategic documents, enabling more targeted and cost-effective interventions both nationally and at the local level. |
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