Eating habits and mental health among rugby players of the Peruvian pre-selection during the second quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES: Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the mental health and diet of populations. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the eating habits and mental health status of the rugby players of the Peruvian pre-selection were affected by the second quarantine of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out through a pre-structured online survey in 74 players, 42 men (56.8%) and 32 women (43.2%). The mean age was 20.5 ± 4.4 years. Participants completed a validated food frequency questionnaire and depression, anxiety, and stress scale-21 (DASS-21). RESULTS: 58.1% of the respondents reported that their dietary intake remained the same or increased. 58.3% of the players experienced anxiety, among which 26.4% reported moderate and severe symptoms. A greater proportion of participants <20 years old reported depression compared to those ⩾20 years (68.6% vs 31.4%, p = 0.010). Those who reported inadequate food intake were more likely to report depressive symptoms (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: These findings reaffirm the need to implement programs of psychological support and nutritional counseling among athletes to reduce negative symptoms and better face mental health and dietary challenges in these times of crisis.