Covid-19 and the Subsequent Lockdown Modified Dietary Habits of Almost Half the Population in an Italian Sample

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic led to lockdowns in several parts of the world and, hence, changed some daily habits, including social interactions, the ability to perform sports, and—possibly—diet. The Italian government established and promulgated lockdown policies on 9 March 2020. We aim at assessing the effects of Covid-19-induced confinement policies on self-reported food consumption of self-selected Italians by means of a questionnaire that was created and diffused by the Internet. Nearly half, i.e., 49.6% of responders did not substantially modify their diet during the lockdown; however, 46.1% of them reported that they were eating more during confinement, and 19.5% gained weight. In particular, we report an increase in “comfort food” consumption, notably chocolate, ice-cream, and desserts (42.5%) and salty snacks (23.5%). In addition, 42.7% percent of this cohort attributed this increase to higher anxiety levels. Related to this, 36.8% of responders reported a decrease in alcohol consumption, even though 10.1% of them reported an increase. Interestingly, 21.2% of responders increased their consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables. Only 33.5% of those who declared decreased consumption attributed this change of diet to lower availability and ease of purchasing such items. Equally interesting, over half of responders, i.e., 56.2%, admitted that fruit and vegetables did not appeal to them while in lockdown. Purchases of ready-made meals were reduced by nearly 50%. Future large-scale similar studies should be undertaken worldwide and will help public health authorities shape their reactions to future, unavoidable pandemics.

Preliminary Trajectories in Dietary Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Public Health Call to Action to Face Obesity

“…The number of people who consumed snacks more than 4 times a day increased by 23% in India [ 13 ], while 37.6% of Spaniards [ 18 ] and 30% of Chinese [ 17 ] increased their overall snacking frequency. Instead, the snapshot of Italians and Poles recorded increases in the frequency of consumption by about 60% [ 16 ] and 23% [ 22 ], respectively.…”

“…All studies examining the changes in alcoholic beverages consumption concluded that this dropped, except for a Polish survey (showing a 14.6% and 18.1% increase). In detail, 8% of the Indians and 13% [ 14 ] and 36.8% [ 22 ] of the Italians reduced their daily intake by 25–50%. Similarly, the two Spanish surveys reported a 57.3% decrease in the weekly frequency of consumption in the longitudinal observation by Rodríguez-Pérez et al [ 18 ], and a 27% decrease in the cross-sectional evaluation carried out by Romeo-Arroyo et al [ 15 ].…”

“…However, the available evidence allows us to assume that almost 50% of people maintained their starting weight, without undergoing any changes. A considerable proportion gained weight: 19% of Indians [ 13 ], 12% of Spaniards [ 18 ], 29.9% of Poles [ 11 ], 32% of Chileans [ 20 ], and 48.6% [ 14 ] and 19.5% [ 22 ] of Italians. The few data available on people who lost weight reported a 33% loss among Indians [ 13 ], 32% among Chileans [ 20 ], 18.6% among Poles [ 11 ], and 3.9% among Italians [ 14 , 22 ].…”

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on the mental and physical health of adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome

“…In a recent Italian study, 20% adult patients gained weight and reported an increase in the consumption of "comfort food" (chocolate, ice cream, desserts, salty snacks, etc.) [9]. Rundle et al hypothesized that people, especially children or adolescents, would fare worse concerning weight control at home than when engaged in their usual school curriculum [10].…”

Incidence of “new-onset” constipation and associated factors during lockdown due to the coronavirus-19 pandemic.

“…Evidence suggests that the obligatory social self-isolation impacts the lifestyle of the population, forcing the adoption of unhealthy dietary habits (increased ultra-processed and re ned foods and decreased fruit and vegetable intake), sedentary behavior, and sleep disturbances. [17] At present, there are no reports in the literature that establish a relation between a change in bowel movement habit and being under the current lockdown. Thus, the aim of our study was to evaluate the incidence of symptoms of constipation and associated factors during the lockdown implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Mexico.…”