A new study published in the Israel Journal of Health Policy Research examining the connection between anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic and dietary habits has found a general decline in the healthiness of food consumed as well as weight gain, as a result of stress levels during the pandemic.
Based on a survey of 3,978 respondents, of whom 1,895 were from Israel, almost 60% indicated that their diet prior to the pandemic was healthier than their current diet. Similarly, some 25% of respondents also noted that they gained weight during the pandemic.
In terms of anxiety, 37% said they suffered from at least mild anxiety, while 10% reported moderate to high anxiety from the pandemic.
Besides Israeli respondents, the survey was also translated into English, Arabic, Spanish, French, Italian and Russian.
Ariel University study researchers Vered Kaufman-Shriqui, Daniela Abigail Navarro, Olga Raz and Mona Boaz recommended increased surveillance of the health and psychological effects of outbreaks on overall preparedness, based on the survey's results.