Impact of social isolation by Coronavirus disease 2019 in food: a narrative review

ABSTRACT The objective of this narrative review, with a systematic survey, was to investigate the impact of social isolation on food (eating habits) during the 2019 Coronavirus disease pandemic. A retrieval of studies published from January 1st, 2019 to June 18th, 2020 was carried out in the PubMed, Web of Science and Embase databases. The screening was structured using the terms corresponding to Coronavirus disease 2019, social isolation and food. All steps were carried out independently by three reviewers. Twelve studies were included, totaling 20,789 people assessed, with a predominance of cross-sectional studies of adult population. The studies reviewed had been carried out in Italy (n=4), Spain (n=2), Poland (n=1), China (n=1), India (n=1), United States of America (n=1), South Africa (n=1) and in a continental multicenter (n=1). The analysis of the studies included showed that most people reported that they did not change their usual diet; in addition, an increase in cooking habits, consumption of fruits and vegetables and a decrease in the consumption of alcoholic beverages was observed. A decrease in fish consumption and an increase in comfort foods were also reported. It was found that food habits changed in times of social isolation. We suggest that new investigations be carried out in different socioeconomic and demographic frameworks. We propose to continue the study on this theme, with a systematic review with or without meta-analysis.