IMPACT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS ON EATING HABITS DURING PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN IN INDIA

Background: COVID-19 and lockdown brought consequences like stress, anxiety, depression, social and physical distancing and it has significant impact on well-being, health of people, life style, quality of life, dietary habits and increase several public health issues. Aim: the main purpose of this current study was to investigate the impact of psychological factor son eating habits of people during lockdown. Methods: Survey approach design was used using emotional eater questionnaire (EEQ). It has 10 items. Population of the current study was residents of Hyderabad state India. Questionnaire was distributed using Google forms in Facebook, emails, WhatsApp groups and Instagram. Total 211 completed questionnaires were used in the analysis. SPSS was used for statistical analysis. Findings: results revealed that there is significant difference and change observed in eating habits of people before lockdown and during lockdown. Conclusions: it is concluded that during lockdown people prefer comfort food which directly increase risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases. Due to no or limited physical activities people gained weight and other psychological problems such as anxiety, stress and depression. There is need to focus on the diseases pattern built during lockdown. Implications:  several non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases increased during pandemic lockdown therefore it significantly increased the burden of non-communicable diseases on healthcare organizations. There is needed to make policies to reduce and control expenditure on non-communicable diseases.