The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle – a pilot study

Abstract

Aim. Because the COVID-19 pandemic is a topic of interest in the literature due to its information dynamics and, also, to its impact on the population health status; we wanted to highlight the connection between pandemic and lifestyle, with an emphasis on eating habits. Material and methods. A questionnaire with 20 items about sociodemographic data and information about eating habits was distributed. Results. Data collected reflected how COVID-19 pandemic influenced the employment status, level of income, smoker status, consumption of fruits, vegetable, candies, sweets, chocolate and fast-food of the respondents. The reported dietary changes were reflected both positively by more regular meals, a slight increase in the consumption of fruits and vegetables, lower consumption of fast food and higher cooked food, and negatively by a higher intake of sweets, candies and chocolate and as a result of an increasing in the habit of compulsive eating. Conclusion. The trait that easily weighed on all the activities of this period is the perceived level of stress and anxiety.