Plain language summary
The appearance of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has led not only to changes in relationship patterns but also lifestyle habits. The aim of this study was to evaluate eating behaviour changes during the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing a comparison of eating behaviours before and after the outbreak of the pandemic. This study is a systematic review of 23 longitudinal studies. Results indicate that: - the frequency of meals is not associated with the amount of food eaten. - there was not a correlation between gender and age with specific eating behaviours. Authors conclude that further research focusing not only on food intake but also on alcohol consumption and its consequences is required. This may aid in the development of a progression of ‘eating behaviour during a state of alarm’ and in the establishment of a benchmark for future directions to help improve guidelines for achieving proper nutrition aimed at the new normality.
Abstract
Eating behaviour is a complex construct that is liable to be modified by external factors. Due to the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many restrictive measures were carried out with the aim of reducing the impact of this disease. As a result, lifestyles were disrupted, which could affect eating behaviours. The aim of this systematic review of longitudinal studies was to assess changes in eating behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing a comparison of eating behaviours before and after the outbreak of the pandemic. This study followed the PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO CRD42020203246), whereas to assess the quality of the studies, the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) was applied. Out of a set of 826 studies, 23 were included in this systematic review. The main findings provided information about a shift towards modified eating behaviours, characterized by an increased snack frequency and a preference for sweets and ultra-processed food rather than fruits, vegetables, and fresh food. Additionally, an increased alcohol consumption was found among different countries. Consequently, adherence to healthy diets decreased. These findings are relevant to future policies and strategies to assess nutrition in cases of alarming situations such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Methodological quality
Jadad score
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