Background: The 2008 Great Recession significantly impacted economies and individuals globally, with potential impacts on food systems and dietary intake. We systematically reviewed evidence on the impact of the Great Recession on children’s and adults’ dietary intake globally and whether disadvantaged individuals were disproportionately affected. Methods: We searched seven databases and relevant grey literature through June 2020. Longitudinal quantitative studies with the 2008 recession as the exposure and any measure of dietary intake (energy intake, dietary quality and food/macronutrient consumption) as outcomes were eligible for inclusion. Eligibility was independently assessed by two reviewers. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment. We undertook a random effects meta-analysis for changes in energy intake. Harvest plots were used to display and summarise study results for other outcomes. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019135864). Results: Forty-one studies including 2.6 million people met our inclusion criteria and were heterogenous in both methods and results. Ten studies reported energy intake, 11 dietary quality, 34 food intake, and 15 macronutrient consumption. The Great Recession was associated with a mean reduction of 39.9 calories per adult equivalent per day (95% Confidence Interval: -119.9, 40.2) in the meta-analysis of seven studies. We found reductions in dietary quality and small decreases in fruit and vegetable intake. We also found reductions in intake of meat and fish, fast food, sugary products, and soft drinks alongside an increase in the consumption of eggs and legumes. Impacts on macronutrients were inconclusive. Of 17 studies examining inequalities, 14 found that the Great Recession was associated with greater reductions in dietary intake and quality among more disadvantaged individuals. Only 4 studies investigated children’s intakes. Conclusions: The 2008 recession was associated with poorer dietary quality and decreased fruit and vegetable consumption, especially for more disadvantaged individuals. Implementing effective policies to mitigate adverse nutritional changes during the COVID pandemic and other major economic shocks should be prioritised.
Impacts of the 2008 Great Recession on dietary intake: a systematic review