ABSTRACT
Introduction: Social distancing and isolation during quarantine due to coronavirus (COVID-19) has definitely affected people´s eating behavior, situation which must be evaluated in public health. Objective: description of food and nutritional context among the Paraguayan population and changes caused during the COVID-19 quarantine. Methods: an observational, exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted among adults from 18 years old, both sexes, through a self reported digital survey which contained multiple choice questions on sociodemographic aspects, anthropometric data, presence of diseases, usual eating behaviors and perception about changes in food intake and physical activity during mandatory quarantine. The data was collected from May 22 to June 12, 2020 (second phase of quarantine). The results are presented in frequencies and percentages. Results: 2,178 people participated;54,2% were overweight (21,5% obese);29,2% referred to have at least one chronic disease;hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were the most frequent;62% consumed less than 2 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, and during quarantine their consumption decreased by 21% and 12% respectively. Only 12% consumed at least 3 servings of dairy products per day;60% felt that the quality of their diet was affected by the anxiety generated during the pandemic and 43% faced reduction in income which affected food purchasing capacity. Foods most frequently consumed during quarantine were rice, noodles, pasta and bread (41%), fried foods (31%), sugary foods (44%), sugary drinks (26%) and alcoholic beverages (21 %);64% practiced physical activity less frequently. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on society, affecting among other aspects, food quality. It is important to rethink strategies focused on improving food and nutritional status considering the new health and social context.