A2 Nutrition and Food Science Research Project - An investigation into the impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic (2020) on diet and lifestyle within ...

A2 Nutrition and Food Science

      Research Project

   An investigation into the
  impact of the Coronavirus
   Pandemic (2020) on diet
 and lifestyle within the UK.

   Centre Number: 71903

  Candidate Number: XXXX
        Elle Gilmore

Literature Review
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus (WHO, 2020).
The source is believed to be a "wet market" in Wuhan which sold both dead and live
animals. Such markets pose a heightened risk of viruses ‘jumping’ from animals to humans
as hygiene standards are difficult to maintain if animals are being kept and butchered on
site. Scientists say it is likely that the virus came from bats but first passed through an
intermediary animal (Readfearn, 2020). Bats can host a wide range of zoonotic viruses
(Newey and Gulland, 2020). MedicineNet defines a zoonotic disease as “a disease that
normally exists in animals but that can infect humans” (2020).
Worldwide, around 4 million cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed; with approximately

Figure 1 (Harris, 2020)

300,000 deaths. In the UK, 237,000 cases are known, with around 34,000 reported deaths
(WorldOMeters, 2020). However, many statisticians believe that the real figure for UK
deaths is over 50,000, as official figures only account for people who were tested, and not
those who died before being tested (BBC, 2020).
The UK has the second highest rate of infection worldwide (Booth and Adam, 2020). It
places only ahead of the United States; a country which many have criticized for its delayed
response and relaxed enforcement of restrictions (Melville, 2020).

According to the NHS, the main symptoms of COVID-19 are a high temperature and a new,
continuous cough (2020). It is thought that shortness of breath, fatigue, chills, loss of taste
and smell, muscle aches and diarrhoea are also symptoms (Healthline, 2020). Groups of
people most at risk include over-65s, people in nursing homes and people with underlying
medical conditions or compromised immune systems (such as cancer patients) (CDC, 2020).

Although there is currently no specific treatment, the NHS is advising that people with mild
signs of the virus ease their symptoms with over the counter medications, such as
paracetamol or ibuprofen (NHS, 2020).

For around half of all patients experiencing severe symptoms, a ventilator may be used to
sustain life. These work by taking over the patients respiratory processes if lung failure has
occurred. In moderate cases, oxygen is given to aid natural breathing. The aim is not to treat
the virus, but to allow the body to focus on fighting the infection (BBC, 2020).
On the 23rd of March, the UK went into ‘lockdown’. People could only to leave their homes
for basic necessities (such as food shopping), one form of exercise daily and for work if it
could not be done from home (Heart, 2020). In earlier phases, healthcare workers were
given ‘personal protective equipment’ (PPE) to prevent them from being exposed to the
virus and slow its transmission. The public were advised to wash their hands often and
thoroughly, to ensure that hospitals were not overwhelmed. Social distancing was
implemented around a month after this initial reaction (Sibthorpe, 2020).
As a result of lockdown restrictions, the UK public has faced a huge lifestyle and diet change,
almost overnight.
After just three weeks of lockdown, 15% of 2,250 adults surveyed said they found
restrictions “very challenging”, with 14% saying they would be “unable to cope” within the
next month (Easton, 2020). 16% of workers surveyed had lost their job as a result of the
lockdown and 22% said that they would experience money problems in the near future.
Whilst it is evident that the lockdown has saved many lives, its impact on mental well-being
and financial stability cannot be dismissed (ITV News, 2020).
One major lifestyle change which has occurred is that people can only exercise once daily
(Ritschel, 2020). Most people should still be able to meet the Government recommended
150 minutes per week (NHS, 2018). However, many people’s main exercise source is low
intensity walking and not a deliberate workout (Raper, 2020), and a shocking 1 in 3 Brits is
not meeting the, afore mentioned, weekly exercise recommendation to begin with
(Waghorn, 2018). Thus, for people in lockdown who simply have nowhere to go (shops,
work etc), it is likely that they will adopt an even more sedentary lifestyle. Lack of exercise is
associated with numerous preventable diseases, such as a 35% higher risk of stroke and
heart disease, compared with people who exercise regularly (NHS, 2018). It has also been
termed “a silent killer” by the Department of Health (2012). Surely, then, this pandemic will
have a larger health impact than first appears.
It takes an average of 66 days to form a habit, but around twice as long to break one
(Arthurs, 2016). It is only reasonable to expect that with people breaking their exercise

habits, the obesity crisis may grow, alongside conditions such as type 2 diabetes and
coronary heart disease.
Surprisingly, the diet of many Brits is improving as a result of the virus, with many claiming
that they wish to “improve their immunity”. Sales of organic foods have increased, because
they are perceived as “healthier” (Askew, 2020).
However, this is not the case for all, and the class divide has undoubtedly widened as low-
income families (e.g. zero-hour workers) struggle to afford basic food items. In April, 2.1
million UK citizens claimed unemployment benefits; an increase of 69% from 2019
(Partington, 2020). Added pressure has resulted from school closures; with many children
unable to access free school meals (Cain, 2020). Lack of availability of many fruits and
vegetables has pushed prices up, and out of reach for many (Denton, 2020). Being forced to
rely on foodbanks (which mainly stock heavily processed foods with a long shelf-life),
intakes of saturated fats, sugar and salt are increasing; such a diet is strongly correlated with
increased risk of obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Issues have also been raised about the concerning amount of screen time which children,
teenagers and adults alike now consume. Whilst some argue that in the absence of physical
interaction, social media plays an important role, the risks associated with over-use of
technology loom. Some users reported increases of over 100% since the start of the
lockdown (Cuthbertson, 2020). Just two hours of screen time daily can cause weight gain
and increased risk of heart disease or diabetes (CareWell, 2020). Chronic neck/back pain,
visual impairment, difficulty sleeping and cognitive impairment are also common amongst
people who over use screens (Pandika, 2016).
For older people who lack technological skill, lockdown is especially isolating. Many retired
people rely on social groups and events. With the postponement of these, this age group is
especially vulnerable; they are warned to stay at home for fear of the virus and lack the
means to stay in contact with loved ones and friends (Gulland, 2020). 15% of over-70s rely
on their children for food, and 3 in 10 for their shopping (Boyd, 2020). Proper nutrition is
key for this group’s well-being and without access to it, their standard of living or even life,
will be at risk.
From these findings, I believe that the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and will continue to
have, a significant impact of diet and lifestyle in the UK.

Word Count: 1098

Bibliography
Literature Review
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