An Italian Survey on Dietary Habits and Changes during the COVID-19 Lockdown.
Luana Izzo, Antonio Santonastaso, Gaetano Cotticelli, Alessandro Federico, Severina Pacifico, Luigi Castaldo, Annamaria Colao, Alberto Ritieni
Author Information
Luana Izzo: Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy. ORCID
Antonio Santonastaso: Department of Precision Medicine, Hepatogastroenterology Division, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Gaetano Cotticelli: Department of Precision Medicine, Hepatogastroenterology Division, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Alessandro Federico: Department of Precision Medicine, Hepatogastroenterology Division, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. ORCID
Severina Pacifico: Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy. ORCID
Luigi Castaldo: Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy. ORCID
Annamaria Colao: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Unit of Endocrinology, University Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Alberto Ritieni: Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy. ORCID
The World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern; the outbreak has led to lockdowns in several parts of the world, and sudden changes in people's lifestyles. This study explores the impact of the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic period on dietary habits, lifestyle changes, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet among the Italian population, through an online questionnaire, conducted from April to May 2020, involving 1519 participants. The 14-point Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) highlighted a medium Mediterranean diet adherence in 73.5% of responders, which principally included the younger population, aged 18-30 years ( < 0.05). In regards to changes in eating habits, 33.5% of responders declared an influence of the pandemic period on nutritional practice. A decrease in alcohol consumption was reported by 81% of responders, while an increase in frozen food consumption was reported by 81.3% of responders. In addition, 58.8% reported positive weight modification (40.8%, +1-3 kg); physical activity reduction was reported for 70.5% of responders. Our study contributes toward amplifying the investigation on the dietary habits and changes of the Italian population during the COVID-19 lockdown, although the pandemic is ongoing. Similar studies should be performed around the world to understand how the emergency has impacted people's habits.
