COVID-19 Isolation: impact on mental health and eating behaviors.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The fear and uncertainty in the face of the unknown, as well as the fear of contagion by the virus, was added to the stress that can cause a mandatory isolation that arose due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which generated changes in mental health and eating behaviors. Objective(s) To characterize the impact of COVID-19 isolation on mental health and food consumption behaviors. Method(s) An exploratory cross-sectional research was conducted, with the application of a previously validated online instrument, consisting of 18 multiple-choice questions related to mental health and eating behaviors during COVID-19 isolation. 1305 surveys that were answered with the prior consent of the participants were collected. The statistical package SPSS version 22 was applied to associate the variables of interest and tests of the chi-squared for nominal scale indicators. Result(s) The confinement situation due to COVID-19 caused sleep disturbances (41.4%), irritability (79.6%), anxiety (71%), fear (87.3%), arguments at home (62.7%), with negative effects on changes in diet (p = .000), generating poor nutrition (48%). The problem was mainly found in women (p = 0.000), young people and young adults (p = 0.000), from urban areas, who live in apartments without access to green areas. Conclusion(s) There are emotional alterations as a result of isolation, which have an impact on eating behaviors. For this reason, it is necessary to work on public health policies that propose strategies for managing stress and associated emotions during a situation of isolation.Copyright © 2023, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.