CHANGES TO THE NUTRITIONAL HABIT OF THE INDIVIDUALS IN SOCIAL ISOLATION IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Aim: To examine the nutrition and lifestyle behaviours of individuals who are in social isolation in their homes in order to protect themselves and public health in the Covid-19 epidemic, which is effective on a global scale, and to investigate the changes between before and after the isolation. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional type study, during the Covid-19 epidemic in Turkey has reached 360 people who are in social isolation since at least a week in their homes. An online questionnaire consisting of 31 questions in which demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements and nutritional habits were questioned was used as data collection tool. The obtained data are shown as frequency, percentage distributions and average values. Results: 44.7% of the participants gained weight during the isolation period. 62.8% of the individuals who dieted before social isolation could not continue their diets during the isolation period. 52% of the participants stated that their sleep patterns were disturbed and 42.2% of them stated that they slept more. 42.7% of individuals stated that they drank more tea and coffee, and 79.4% of them stated that they reduced the consumption of ready meals during the isolation period when compared to the pre-social isolation. When food consumption frequencies are examined; 42.1% of the participants stated that they increased the consumption of cake and cookie-type foods, 37.7% stated that the consumption of pastries increased. While 26.9% of the participants stated that they exercised regularly before isolation, those who stated that they exercised during the isolation period were 32.2%. Conclusion: In this study, it was concluded that the tendency to foods with high carbohydrate and fat content increased period and the sleep pattern changed during the social isolation. This is important in terms of the immune system, which often comes to the fore during the epidemic. Unhealthy food selection and weight gain can weaken the immune system and insufficient to infection