Exploring Dietary Intake Behaviors Related To The Covid-19 Lockdown



Summary

A 2021 scoping review by Bennett et al. examined how dietary habits changed during the first wave of the COVID-19 lockdown. The pandemic disrupted daily routines, social interactions, and food-related behaviors, leading to both positive and negative health outcomes.

The review identified four main themes: dietary patterns, favorable habits, unfavorable habits, and physical health factors. Two key changes in dietary patterns were an increase in snacking and a higher number of daily meals.

Snacking was largely categorized as an unfavorable habit. Many people turned to energy-dense, low-nutrient “comfort foods” to cope with stress and anxiety. This emotional eating pattern, supported by findings from Shen et al., often shifted focus away from making healthy food choices and toward short-term emotional relief.

Despite these negative trends, some positive dietary changes were also observed. Lockdowns reduced access to fast food and social drinking opportunities, leading many individuals to cook more meals at home and, in some cases, consume less alcohol. These changes contributed to healthier eating patterns for certain groups.

Overall, while a few beneficial habits emerged, the review concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic had a greater overall negative impact on dietary behaviors and health, largely driven by increased snacking and emotionally driven food choices.

For more insights on Nutrition and Mental Health, explore the Center for Nutritional Psychology, which has been recognized in the American Psychological Association Monitor for its contributions to this growing field.

Read the full research Article : https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/exploring-dietary-intake-behaviors-related-to-the-impact-of-the-covid-19-lockdown/

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