The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Mediterranean diet adherence : a narrative systematic review

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic upended many aspects of daily life. For some individuals, this was an opportunity to re-evaluate their life and make better choices, while others were overwhelmed with stressors, leading to a deterioration in mental and physical health. Aim: The aim of this narrative systematic review is to explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Mediterranean diet adherence. Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out on PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science electronic databases utilising the search terms ‘Mediterranean diet’ AND ‘COVID-19’. This yielded 73 articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Results: The data suggests that a substantial proportion of individuals adhered less to the Mediterranean diet during the COVID-19 lockdown period. However, individuals receiving some form of lifestyle intervention had better adherence to the Mediterranean diet than their unassisted counterparts. Conclusion: This emphasises the importance of professional support during times of crisis to avoid deterioration of a population’s health.