Some 40% of adults reported eating more than usual during the COVID-19 lockdown, although 64% said they ate less takeaways during this period, according to a new study.

The National COVID-19 Food Study was carried out by the UCD Institute of Food and Health in collaboration with Dublin City University (DCU). Over 4,300 people took part between April 20 and May 25, when some of the most strict restrictions were in place to suppress the spread of the virus.

According to the findings, while 50% of adults reported no change in their eating behaviour, 40% said that they were eating more than usual, while 10% were eating less than usual.

Some 42% said they were eating more snacks, while 72% said they were doing more home baking.

When it came to exercise, 60% of younger adults said they exercised more frequently. However, this decreased with age and just 37% of people over the age of 65 reported increased exercise frequency.

Overall, 30% said they had gained weight during this period, 44% stayed the same weight and 15% lost weight.

The researchers said that this 30% figure is concerning because six out of 10 Irish adults are already overweight or obese.

"While we saw some positive elements, with people engaging in home baking and exercising more, a significant proportion reported eating more than usual, exercising less, and weight gain," said Dr Eileen Gibney, deputy director of the UCD Institute of Food and Health.

Meanwhile, the study also found that 20% of adults were concerned about not having enough food, while 10% said they consumed foods that they didn't want due to a lack of food availability.

"One in five people taking the survey worried about having enough food Vulnerable groups like refugees, low-income earners or those impacted by addiction or living with a disability had real challenges affording food with the extra ‘hidden' costs of lockdown.

"Higher household bills, loss of income and eating more family meals at home all added to the stress of living life at home 24/7," explained Dr Sharleen O'Reilly, assistant professor in nutrition at UCD.

The researchers' work with advocacy groups highlighted the increased pressure placed on service provision during the lockdown, such as meals on wheels and soup kitchens.

"In some instances, families who had never sought help for food provision before were seeking this support. We are hopeful that these insights and the findings from the overall survey will help us better protect our communities now and into the future," commented Dr Claire Timon, research fellow at the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health in DCU.

The study also highlighted the impact on children, with some acutely exposed to experiencing hunger in the absence of school meals.

According to Dr Celine Murrin, assistant professor in public health nutrition at UCD, such services are "extremely vulnerable to shocks such as COVID-19".

"The Government must ensure that emergency planning includes food provision services, rather than relying on the benevolence of charitable services," she insisted.

The researchers said that understanding how people respond to a public health emergency is vital and this study shows that one size does not fit all when it comes to the experiences of people in Ireland.

Future emergency responses need to support vulnerable groups and they must consider the impact that lockdown has on health in the longer term, they added.

The full study can be viewed here.