COVID-19 linked to six unhealthy eating behaviours A new research into the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed correlations to six unhealthy eating behaviours. | 14 April 2021 12:50 AM GMT NEW YORK: A new research into the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed correlations to six unhealthy eating behaviours. The study found six key themes of eating behaviour changes — mindless eating and snacking; increased food consumption; generalized decrease in appetite or dietary intake; eating to cope; pandemic-related reductions in dietary intake and a re-emergence or marked increase in eating disorder symptoms. The researchers said that the most concerning findings are a slight increase or the re-emergence of eating disorders, which kill roughly 10,200 people every year — about one person every 52 minutes.