Social distancing was considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the strategy to
combat the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, but this strategy
caused a series of changes in people's social lives, including disabled persons. Type 1 Diabetes
Mellitus (T1DM). Changes in mental health are often associated with diabetes, which can result
in lower adherence to treatment and worse outcomes related to the management of the disease.
Considering that the context experienced during social distancing can affect the mental health
and eating habits of individuals with T1DM, the present study aimed to evaluate the association
between mental health and eating habits of individuals with T1DM during social distancing by
COVID-19 in Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study carried out in July 2020 using an online
form. Sociodemographic and economic data, mental health perception through the adapted
DSM-5 Level 1 Symptoms Scale - adult - were used, in addition to data on eating habits, through
the consumption pattern of fruits, vegetables, sweets, ultra-processed foods, cooking habits,
number of daily meals, change in food and water use. The results showed that participants who
perceived moderate and severe symptoms of depression and anxiety had a positive association
with increased food consumption in general, especially sweets and ultra-processed foods, such
as snacks (snacks and cookies), as well as having a positive association with reduced fruit
consumption and reduced cooking habits. Individuals with lower perceptions of symptoms of
depression and anxiety showed a negative association with bad eating habits. It was evidenced
that situations of social distancing, such as the one caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, can
affect the mental health of individuals with T1DM, in this way, greater perceptions of
symptoms of depression and anxiety can cause changes in consumption and food choices,
affecting self-care and adherence to nutritional therapy recommended for this population.
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