Introduction:

due to the pandemic of the human coronavirus COVID-19, preventive strategies based on preventive and mandatory social isolation (quarantine) were implemented to reduce transmission in the community, and this has impacted on lifestyle and eating habits.

Objective:

to analyze food intake during the quarantine period in Argentina.

Materials and Method:

an observational, exploratory, cross-sectional study was carried out. Two survey questionnaires were designed to be completed online, one for the meat-consuming population (MP) and the other for the vegan/vegetarian population (VP). Multiple-choice questions on sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported weight and height, history of chronic diseases, habitual food intake and perception of modification during the period of social isolation were included. 12 days after the quarantine was decreed, a first cut was made in the data survey to carry out a descriptive analysis.

Results:

the sample was made up of 2518 people who answered the form (2201 MP and 317 VP). A change in dietary habits was observed in the period of confinement, in both groups, characterized mainly by a decrease in the consumption of immunomodulatory potential food such as fruits and vegetables, and an increased intake of bakery products, sweets, sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Conclusions

the quarantine impact due to COVID-19 on lifestyle and specifically on unhealthy diet could increase susceptibility to COVID-19 and affect recovery.

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