Avaliação de mudanças de hábitos alimentares durante a pandemia de covid-19

Abstract

In 2020, with the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, many measures were adopted to prevent the increase in cases and deaths. The routine of the population underwent major changes and these changes were also observed in behavioral aspects - including eating behavior. Therefore, the objective of this work was to obtain the opinion and perception of citizens from different regions of Brazil regarding the changes in eating habits caused by the COVID-2019 pandemic, as well as to correlate them with works found in the literature. The research was based on the descriptive quantitative method, with the application of a questionnaire to the target audience. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the routine of Brazilians, generating direct impacts on their eating habits, as well as their lifestyle. The analyzed results revealed negative changes in the eating habits of Brazilians, who started to consume more ultra-processed foods during the pandemic, representing a risk behavior for the development of diseases. On the other hand, another portion of the participants indicated maintenance or increase in the consumption of healthy foods, suggesting that there is a concern with the intake of healthy foods that help in the proper functioning of the organism and in the improvement of immunity. Most of the respondents linked dietary changes during the pandemic to changes in anxiety levels, in addition to changes in routine and the practicality of obtaining food, with the help of delivery services. Most participants justified the increased consumption of industrialized products to the use of delivery during the pandemic period due to fear and insecurity of leaving home. Another reason for this increase may be associated with longer stays at home, which may have resulted in a higher frequency of meals prepared and consumed at home. It is important that further research on social isolation and quality of life be carried out, so that ways to minimize the harm caused by social distancing can be evaluated.