Abstract
The world is currently struggling to face the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), and many countries have imposed lockdowns and recommended quarantine to limit both the spread of the virus and overwhelming demands for medical care. Direct implications include the disruption of work routines, boredom, depression, increased calorie consumption, and other similar harmful effects. The present narrative review article briefly analyzes the preliminary effects of the quarantine lifestyle from the standpoint of dietary habits. In six different databases, we searched for original articles up to 10 August 2020, assessing eating habits among populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and recorded any change in the intake of major food categories, as well as changes in body weight. The research strategy yielded 364 articles, from which we selected 12 articles that fitted our goal. Our preliminary findings revealed a sharp rise of carbohydrates sources consumption, especially those with a high glycemic index (i.e., homemade pizza, bread, cake, and pastries), as well as more frequent snacks. A high consumption of fruits and vegetables, and protein sources, particularly pulses, was also recorded, although there was no clear peak of increase in the latter. Data concerning the consumption of junk foods lacked consistency, while there was a decreased alcohol intake and fresh fish/seafood consumption. As a possible connection, people gained body weight. Therefore, in the realistic perspective of a continuing global health emergency situation, timely preventive measures are needed to counteract obesity-related behaviors in the long-term, so as to prevent further health complications.
Highlights
IntroductionMany countries imposed a stringent lockdown in order to enforce social distancing and prevent the spread of infection [2]
As of 19 July 2020, there were 14,043,176 confirmed cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO), including 597,583 deaths [1].Many countries imposed a stringent lockdown in order to enforce social distancing and prevent the spread of infection [2]
The studies featured different and mostly poorly accurate dietary assessment approaches; quantification in grams was uncommon. This is the first review paper to describe preliminary dietary modifications during the COVID-19 pandemic, and can offer early food for thought on this matter. Summing up these preliminary data, it is not surprising that a fair percentage of people experienced an increase in body weight
Summary
Many countries imposed a stringent lockdown in order to enforce social distancing and prevent the spread of infection [2]. The use of social distancing, face masks, gloves, and other individual protection measures is having a massive impact on reducing the current peak of active cases but, as recently demonstrated, over time, a decreasing sense of alarm about the pandemic may contribute to a new, larger second wave of epidemics [3]. The enforced confinement has upset our life priorities and changed the way we live in several ways, ranging from working behaviors (e.g., smart working, job cuts) to the psychological field, fostering the onset of depression, boredom, sedentary activities, and several more harmful effects on life habits [4,5]. Stress and boredom are both drivers of overeating, as people resort to sugary “comfort foods,” resulting in the introduction of more energy/calories and an increased craving for food [6]
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