Anxiety, alcohol consumption and changes in eating habits: other consequences of COVID-19

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in anxiety symptoms, alcohol consumption, and changes in eating habits were modified in the Mexican population. The objective of the present investigation was to identify symptoms of anxiety, alcohol consumption and eating habits in the Mexican adult population during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was conducted among 1110 Mexican adults. A sociodemographic data questionnaire, Beck anxiety inventory, alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT), and food frequency consumption classified using the NOVA system were applied. The highest participation was in women (66.48%). The data showed that the general population presented mild anxious symptoms (75.5%). 87.75% of those surveyed, were teetotalers or with low-risk alcohol consumption. 58.38% of the participants considered that their diet was healthy before and during confinement. In conclusion, women were more susceptible to suffering from anxiety symptoms compared to men. A decrease in alcohol consumption and a trend towards the consumption of healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables were observed. However, the consumption of ultraprocessed foods such as desserts and junk food, increased. These data will help design strategies in stressful and unexpected situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, to try to maintain the physical and mental health in population.

 Keywords: Anxiety, alcohol consumption, eating habits, COVID-19.