Lifestyle changes during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic confinement in Europe: a systematic review

Abstract

In early 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic began to spread. Due to the extent and quickness of infection, a more or less strict confinement was declared, depending on each country´s government. Therefore, the main objective of this systematic review is to study the changes in lifestyle that occurred during the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic in healthy subjects over 18 years old in 9 European countries. A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA criteria. The “PubMed” database was used for the search; with the following advanced search strategy: “dietary changes” OR “lifestyle changes” AND “covid-19” OR “covid-19 lockdown” AND adults. Finally, 12 articles were included. Most studies showed an increase in energy intake, sweets, snacks and alcohol. Physical activity levels diminished. These unhealthy habits have led to an increase in body weight. Thus, COVID-19 lockdown appears to have modified lifestyle habits in European population. Further research should be done with larger sample sizes to assess the impact of the pandemic and to improve lifestyle recommendations in case of future pandemics.