Food Disorder during the SARS-COV-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Eating disorders are not restricted to changes in eating habits, but also involve physical and emotional changes in individuals. These habits can lead to several consequences on health and quality of life. To point out the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the lives of individuals with eating disorders and report its consequences on the quality of medical care, interpersonal relationships, and mental health in the context of social isolation. Materials and Methods: A systematic review of scientific articles was carried out from August to December 2021. The target files for the study were written between the years 2019 to 2021. The modalities of articles included were cohort type, randomized clinical trials and non-randomized, and case reports. Finally, to evaluate the variables, the method “The GRADE approach” was used. Results: A total of 43 articles were found. The notorious negative impact on the mental health of patients during the pandemic was observed, whether due to social, economic, and even media situations. The emergence of three major problems stands out: social restrictions, functional impairments, and limitations of access to professional support. Consequently, as a way of seeking comfort, many people used food as a method of relief, increasing the intensity and incidence of overweight/obesity and worsening emotional well-being. On the other hand, other individuals started to practice excessive physical activity, which also becomes harmful. Another unfavorable factor for the health of individuals was the commitment to medical care, due to the various safety protocols and restrictions imposed against the spread of the virus and the population's own fear. Conclusion: The pandemic had a great impact on individual and collective quality of life, as evidenced by the studies found. However, its long-term consequences are still unclear. There was a proven accentuation in cases of psychiatric disorders (such as anxiety and depression) and in eating disorders, especially in the young adult population and, in general, individuals with a history of mental and eating disorders.