The effects of lockdown on lifestyle habits of adults during the coronavirus pandemic in Cyprus

Abstract Background Despite widespread adoption of lockdown by governments in the COVID-19 response, research on how it affects the individual pillars of Lifestyle Medicine is limited. We aimed to explore the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on healthy eating, physical activity, sleep, stress, social support and use of risky substances. Methods This was a cross-sectional study on a convenient sample of adults who resided in Cyprus during the lockdown. An anonymous questionnaire was completed online in Greek or English comprised of five validated tools in relation to their behaviours before and during the lockdown. We compared median values for each variable/tool before and during lockdown, using Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, and performed stratified analyses for sociodemographic characteristics. Results Out of 745 respondents, 74% were female and median age was 39. Overall scores showed significantly increased sleep quality difficulty (4 v 5, p < 0.001), decreased social support (71 v 68, p < 0.001), and increased perceived stress (22 v 25, p < 0.001) between February 2020 and the month in lockdown. Mediterranean diet adherence increased significantly only in those who followed religious fasting during lockdown (6 v 7, p < 0.001). Total minutes spent sitting significantly increased (120 v 180, p < 0.001) although overall physical activity score did not significantly change. Smoking intensity (daily number of cigarettes and e-cigarettes) as well as frequency of alcohol consumption (daily number of drinks) increased significantly (p trend=0.029 and <0.001, respectively). Conclusions Many aspects of lifestyle were adversely affected by lockdown in Cyprus. As people return to their pre-lockdown routines, the outcomes described provide data to inform the design of lifestyle interventions that support changing or maintaining lifestyle habits. Such interventions can then help decrease people's risk for future poor health outcomes, including the risk for COVID-19 infection. Key messages This study describes aspects of lifestyle affected by the Cyprus COVID-19 lockdown, significant when considering future lockdowns and pre-, during or post-lockdown healthful lifestyle interventions. The outcomes provide data to inform the design of lifestyle interventions to support changing or maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.

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Lifestyle Habits of Adults During The COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Cyprus: Evidence From a Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-150140/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ourania Kolokotroni ◽

Maria Mosquera ◽

Annalisa Quattrocchi ◽

Alexandros Heraclides ◽

Christiana Demetriou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Measures ◽

Rank Test ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Lifestyle Behaviour ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic and widespread control measures disrupted efforts to address lifestyle risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCD). This study aimed to explore the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on all lifestyle medicine pillars.Methods This was a cross-sectional study on a convenient sample of adults residing in Cyprus during the Spring 2020 lockdown. Participants completed an anonymous online questionnaire incorporating six validated tools regarding the following lifestyle behaviours before and during lockdown: adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity, stress and social support levels, sleep pattern and use of risky substances such as smoking and alcohol. Median total scores for each lifestyle pillar before and during lockdown were compared using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test and stratified analyses for sociodemographic characteristics were performed.Results Of 745 participants, 74% were female and median age was 39 years. Overall participants reported significantly higher perceived stress score (22 v 25, p<0.01), lower social support score (71 v 68, p<0.001), and worse sleep quality score (4 v 5, p<0.01) during lockdown. Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence was moderate and increased significantly only in those practicing religious fasting (score of 6 v 7, p<0.01). Total minutes spent sitting increased (120 v 180, p<0.01) although overall physical activity score did not significantly change. Smoking intensity increased during lockdown whilst frequency of alcohol consumption decreased (ptrend=0.03 and <0.01, respectively). ConclusionLifestyle was adversely affected by the COVID-19 lockdown in Cyprus. Evidence from this study supports development of holistic lifestyle interventions during and following the pandemic to reduce short and long-term NCD risks by building on lifestyle behaviour strengths and addressing longstanding and emerging gaps and needs.

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Lifestyle habits of adults during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Cyprus: evidence from a cross-sectional study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10863-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ourania Kolokotroni ◽

Maria C. Mosquera ◽

Annalisa Quattrocchi ◽

Alexandros Heraclides ◽

Christiana Demetriou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Measures ◽

Rank Test ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Parametric Data

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread adoption of virus control measures have inevitably disrupted efforts to address lifestyle risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCD). This study aimed to explore the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on all lifestyle medicine pillars, namely diet, physical activity, sleep, stress, social support and use of risky substances. Methods This was a cross-sectional study on a convenient sample of adults who resided in Cyprus during the Spring 2020 lockdown. Participants completed an anonymous online questionnaire comprised of six validated tools regarding the following lifestyle behaviours before and during lockdown: adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity, stress and social support levels, sleep pattern and use of risky substances such as smoking and alcohol. Paired before and during lockdown comparisons for each lifestyle pillar were undertaken using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test and Bowker symmetry Test where response was numerical (non-parametric data) and categorical respectively. Furthermore, stratified analyses for sociodemographic characteristics were performed. Results Out of 745 participants, 74% were female and median age was 39 years. Overall participants reported significantly higher perceived stress score (22 v 25, p < 0.01), lower social support score (71 v 68, p < 0.001), and worse sleep quality score (4 v 5, p < 0.01) during lockdown. Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence was moderate and increased significantly only in those practicing religious fasting (score of 6 v 7, p < 0.01). Total minutes spent sitting increased (120 v 180, p < 0.01) although overall physical activity score did not significantly change. Smoking intensity increased during lockdown whilst frequency of alcohol consumption decreased (ptrend = 0.03 and < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion Various lifestyle factors were adversely affected by the COVID-19 lockdown in Cyprus. Evidence from this study supports development of holistic lifestyle interventions during and following the pandemic to reduce short and long-term NCD risks by building on lifestyle behaviour strengths and addressing longstanding and emerging gaps and needs.

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Higher Healthy Lifestyle Score is associated with lower presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in middle-aged and older Chinese adults: a community-based cross-sectional study

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980021000902 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Yun-yang Deng ◽

Qing-wei Zhong ◽

Hai-li Zhong ◽

Feng Xiong ◽

Yue-bin Ke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Liver Disease ◽

Fatty Liver Disease ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract Objective: Previous studies have reported inverse associations between certain healthy lifestyle factors and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but limited evidence showed the synergistic effect of those lifestyles. This study examined the relationship of a combination of lifestyles, expressed as Healthy Lifestyle Score (HLS), with NAFLD. Design: A community-based cross-sectional study. Questionnaires and body assessments were used to collect data on the six-item HLS (ranging from 0 to 6, where higher scores indicate better health). The HLS consists of non-smoking (no active or passive smoking), normal BMI (18·5–23·9 kg/m2), physical activity (moderate or vigorous physical activity ≥ 150 min/week), healthy diet pattern, good sleep (no insomnia or <6 months) and no anxiety (Self-rating Anxiety Scale < 50), one point each. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasonography. Setting: Guangzhou, China. Participants: Two thousand nine hundred and eighty-one participants aged 40–75 years. Results: The overall prevalence of NAFLD was 50·8 %. After adjusting for potential covariates, HLS was associated with lower presence of NAFLD. The OR of NAFLD for subjects with higher HLS (3, 4, 5–6 v. 0–1 points) were 0·68 (95 % CI 0·51, 0·91), 0·58 (95 % CI 0·43, 0·78) and 0·35 (95 % CI 0·25, 0·51), respectively (P-values < 0·05). Among the six items, BMI and physical activity were the strongest contributors. Sensitivity analyses showed that the association was more significant after weighting the HLS. The beneficial association remained after excluding any one of the six components or replacing BMI with waist circumference. Conclusions: Higher HLS was associated with lower presence of NAFLD, suggesting that a healthy lifestyle pattern might be beneficial to liver health.

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Social support, adherence to Mediterranean diet and physical activity in adults: results from a community-based cross-sectional study

Journal of Nutritional Science ◽

10.1017/jns.2020.46 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Elpiniki Laiou ◽

Iro Rapti ◽

Georgios Markozannes ◽

Luisella Cianferotti ◽

Lena Fleig ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Network Support ◽

Diet And Physical Activity ◽

Social Network Support

Abstract There is a growing recognition that social support can potentially exert consistent or opposing effects in influencing health behaviours. The present paper presents a cross-sectional study, including 2,064 adults from Italy, Spain and Greece, who were participants in a multi-centre randomised controlled trial (C4H study), aiming to examine whether social support is correlated with adherence to a healthy Mediterranean diet and physical activity. Social support data were available for 1,572 participants. The majority of the sample reported emotional support availability (84·5 %), financial support availability (72·6 %) and having one or more close friends (78·2 %). Mediterranean diet adherence was significantly associated with emotional support (P = 0·009) and social network support (P = 0·021). No statistically significant associations were found between participant physical activity and the social support aspects studied. In conclusion, emotional and social network support may be associated with increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet. However, further research is needed to evaluate the role of social support in adherence to healthy Mediterranean diet.

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Changes of Physical Activity and Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in Adolescents from Different Countries during Covid-19 Pandemic: An Observational Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12082289 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 2289 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

María Belén Ruíz-Roso ◽

Patricia de Carvalho Padilha ◽

Diana C. Matilla-Escalante ◽

Paola Brun ◽

Natalia Ulloa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Latin America ◽

Food Consumption ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Processed Foods ◽

Processed Food ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Consumption Data ◽

Food Consumption Data

Aim: to describe physical activity and ultra-processed foods consumption, their changes and sociodemographic predictors among adolescents from countries in Europe (Italy and Spain) and Latin America (Brazil, Chile, and Colombia) during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic period. Methods: Cross-sectional study via web survey. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and weekly ultra-processed food consumption data were used. To compare the frequencies of physical activity status with sociodemographic variables, a multinomial logistic and a multiple logistic regression for habitual ultra-processed foods was performed. In final models, p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Sample of 726 adolescents, mostly females (59.6%) aged 16–19 years old (54.3%). Adolescents from Latin America presented odds ratio (OR) 2.98 (CI 95% 1.80–4.94) of being inactive and those whose mothers had higher level of education were less active during lockdown [OR 0.40 (CI 95% 0.20–0.84)]. The habitual ultra-processed consumption was also high during this period in all countries, and more prevalent in Latin America. Conclusion: A higher prevalence of inactivity was observed in this population, but reductions of physical activity and habitual ultra-processed consumption during the pandemic were more pronounced in Latin America. Our findings reinforce the importance of promoting a healthy lifestyle, i.e., exercise and diet, during periods of social isolation.

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Relationships between physical activity, food choices, gender and BMI in Southern Californian teenagers

International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health ◽

10.1515/ijamh-2017-0067 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (5) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jaclyn B. Gaylis ◽

Susan S. Levy ◽

Shiloah Kviatkovsky ◽

Rebecca DeHamer ◽

Mee Young Hong

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Food Choices ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Red Meat ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Healthy Food ◽

Processed Meat ◽

Healthy Weight ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Given the increased prevalence of pediatric obesity and risk of developing chronic disease, there has been great interest in preventing these conditions during childhood by focusing on healthy lifestyle habits, including nutritious eating and physical activity (PA). The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between PA, body mass index (BMI) and food choices in adolescent males and females. This cross-sectional study, using a survey questionnaire, evaluated 1212 Southern Californian adolescents’ self-reported PA, BMI and food frequency. Results revealed that even though males are more active than females, they have higher BMI percentile values (p < 0.05). Females consumed salad, vegetables and fruit more frequently than males (p < 0.05), where males consumed hamburgers, pizza, red meat, processed meat, eggs, fish, fruit juice, soda and whole milk more frequently than females (p < 0.05). Overweight/obese teens consumed red meat, processed meat and cheese more frequently than healthy weight teens (p < 0.05), yet there was no difference in PA between healthy and overweight/obese teens. These results demonstrate that higher levels of PA may not counteract an unhealthy diet. Even though PA provides numerous metabolic and health benefits, this study suggests that healthy food choices may have a protective effect against overweight and obesity. Healthy food choices, along with PA, should be advocated to improve adolescent health by encouraging maintenance of a healthy weight into adulthood.

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Self-reported physical activity in European adolescents: results from the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) study

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980010000558 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 246-254 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Katrien De Cocker ◽

Charlene Ottevaere ◽

Michael Sjöström ◽

Luis A Moreno ◽

Julia Wärnberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Status ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Economic Status ◽

Age Groups ◽

Total Sample ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Home Based

AbstractObjectiveTo describe self-reported physical activity (PA) patterns in the various domains (school, home, transport, leisure time) and intensity categories (walking, moderate PA, vigorous PA) in European adolescents. Furthermore, self-reported PA patterns were evaluated in relation to gender, age category, weight status category and socio-economic status (SES).DesignCross-sectional study.SettingTen European cities.SubjectsIn total, 3051 adolescents (47·6 % boys, mean age 14·8 (sd1·2) years) completed an adolescent-adapted version of the validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire.ResultsThe total sample reported most PA during leisure time (485 min/week) and least PA at home (140 min/week). Boys reported significantly more school-based PA (P< 0·001), leisure-time PA (P= 0·003), vigorous PA (P< 0·001) and total PA (P= 0·002) than girls, while girls reported more home-based PA (P< 0·001) and walking (P= 0·002) than boys. Self-reported PA at school (P< 0·001), moderate PA (P< 0·001), vigorous PA (P< 0·001) and total PA (P< 0·001) were significantly higher in younger age groups than in older groups. Groups based on weight status differed significantly only in leisure-time PA (P= 0·004) and total PA (P= 0·003), while groups based on SES differed in all PA domains and intensities except transport-related PA and total PA.ConclusionsThe total sample of adolescents reported different scores for the different PA domains and intensity categories. Furthermore, patterns were different according the adolescents’ gender, age, weight status and SES.

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App use, physical activity and healthy lifestyle: a cross sectional study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-015-2165-8 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Joan Martine Dallinga ◽

Matthijs Mennes ◽

Laurence Alpay ◽

Harmen Bijwaard ◽

Marije Baart de la Faille-Deutekom

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak on Eating and Lifestyle Habits of Adolescents in Bosnia and Herzegovina: a Cross-sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-529005/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nevena Ćorić ◽

Anita Jurić ◽

Andrea Karlovic

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Change ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Social Characteristics ◽

Dietary Vitamin ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Lifestyle Habits ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: Pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus brought tremendous changes in the lifestyle of adolescents, about which numerous studies have been published. Due to extended restrictions, long term impact should be investigated.Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 953 voluntary participants aged 14 to 21, from different regions of B&H. Participants were asked to complete an online 37-item survey, regarding socio-demographics, geographic, social characteristics, dietary and lifestyle habits, physical activity, including their consumption of dietary, vitamin and mineral supplements. They also needed to provide information about their weight, height and weight change during the entire period of the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 until the end of November when the study was completed. For data entry and analysis, SPSS (version 25) and Microsoft Excel were used.Results: At the time of completing the survey, a slightly lower BMI of participants was noticed compared to the time before the pandemic. A statistically significant difference was determined between males and females BMI, boys BMI was slightly higher. Females gained and men lost BW. Increased intake of unhealthy types of food was associated with weight change. Increased mental stress during the pandemic was associated with dietary changes, respectively with decreased as also increased food amount. High percent of participants (40.4%) who increased their physical activity did not alter their eating in the form of the food amount. This study reported use of some dietary supplements which have not been used before the pandemic by 63.5% participants.Conclusions: This paper presents a unique insight into the changing lifestyle and eating habits of adolescents in B&H during lockdown and post-lockdown period of research. Considering that pandemic is still ongoing, data from study like this may be useful to create further steps in battling the pandemic.

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Estilo de vida en adultos jóvenes universitarios de Barranquilla, Colombia. Diferencias según sexo y estatus socioeconómico (Lifestyle of university students from Barranquilla, Colombia. Differences according sex and socioeconomic status)

Retos ◽

10.47197/retos.v43i0.87335 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 43 ◽

pp. 979-987

Author(s):

Yisel Pinillos Patiño ◽

Enny Oviedo Argumedo ◽

Roberto Rebolledo Cobos ◽

Yaneth Herazo Beltrán ◽

Patricia Valencia Fontalvo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

University Students ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

University Environment ◽

The University

El estilo de vida es concebido como un comportamiento cotidiano y que permanece en el tiempo, el cual evidencia los patrones individuales de conducta de una persona; además, y está determinado por factores sociales, culturales y personales. La etapa universitaria se constituye en este sentido, en una oportunidad para promover la modificación de hábitos por conductas saludables. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar los estilos de vida en estudiantes universitarios y las diferencias según el sexo y el estatus socioeconómico. Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo de corte transversal con 508 universitarios a quienes se les aplicó una encuesta auto administrada sobre sus condiciones sociodemográficas, mientras que los estilos de vida fueron evaluados mediante el cuestionario de Perfil del Estilo de Vida de Pender II (PEVP-II). Se observó que solo el 24,02% (n=122) de la muestra controla frecuentemente los niveles de azúcares y de grasas el 21,85% (n=111), en su alimentación; más del 20% (n=102) no realiza actividad física, entre el 20 (n=102) y 30% (n=152) no regulan los azúcares o incluyen frutas y vegetales en sus dietas; los promedios inferiores al 60%(n=305) en los factores asociados contemplados en el estudio, infieren que los encuestados no mantienen un estilo de vida saludable. En el período de la vida universitaria, el estilo de vida está influenciado por cambios de comportamientos asociados a la formación personal, al entorno familiar y al contexto cultural y social en que desarrolla cada individuo. Los bajos niveles de práctica de actividad física y la presencia de hábitos considerados riesgosos en la dimensión nutricional, pueden estar relacionados con los estilos de vida, y propiciar el desarrollo de enfermedades no transmisibles que conllevan a incrementar la morbilidad y mortalidad en las etapas del curso de la vida del ser humano. Abstract. Lifestyles are everyday behaviors that show an individual's way of life and are usually maintained over time. The university stage is an important period to establish healthy habits for the rest of life. The objective of the study was to determine the lifestyles of university students and the differences according to sex and socioeconomic status. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 508 university students to whom a self-administered survey was applied on their sociodemographic conditions, while their lifestyles were evaluated using the PEVP-II questionnaire. It was observed that only 24.02% of the sample frequently controlled the levels of sugars and fats, 21.85%, in their diet; more than 20% do not perform physical activity, between 20 and 30% do not regulate sugars or include fruits and vegetables in their diets; the averages lower than 60% in the associated factors contemplated in the study, infer that the respondents do not maintain a healthy lifestyle. Finally, it is concluded that low levels of physical activity practice and the presence of habits considered risky in the nutritional dimension, may be related to lifestyles, making this identification in the university environment can help decision-making for design of intervention strategies supported in the well-being of students.

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