scholarly journals Short-term Impact of the COVID-19 Confinement Measures on Health Behaviours and Weight Gain Among Adults in Belgium

Author(s):  
Sabine Drieskens ◽  
Nicolas Berger ◽  
Stefanie Vandevijvere ◽  
Lydia Gisle ◽  
Elise Braekman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In Belgium, confinement measures were introduced on the 13th of March 2020 to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, these measures may also affect health behaviours of the population. Changes in eating habits, physical activity and alcohol consumption can lead to weight gain resulting in overweight and obesity, which increases the risk of several chronic diseases, but also of severe COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of confinement measures on health behaviours and their associations with weight gain.Methods: Data were derived from the second national COVID-19 health survey. Data were collected between the 16th and the 23rd of April 2020. The recruitment of participants was based on snowball sampling via Sciensano’s website, invitations via e-mail and social media. The study sample includes participants aged 18 years and over with no missing data on the variables of interest (n=28,665). The association between self-reported weight gain and health behaviour changes, adjusted for gender, age group and household composition was assessed through OR (95% CI)’s calculated with logistic regression models, using post-stratification weights.Results: Overall, 28.6% reported weight gain after 6 weeks of confinement. Higher odds of weight gain were observed among participants who increased or decreased their consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (OR=1.39 (1.16-1.67) and 1.30 (1.05-1.61), respectively), among those who increased their consumption of sweet or salty snacks (OR=3.68 (3.30-4.10)) and food prepared out-of-home (OR=1.23 (1.03-1.48)), among those who became less physically active (OR=1.95 (1.76-2.18)), and among those who increased their alcohol consumption (1.88 (1.69-2.10)).Conclusions: The most important correlates of weight gain during confinement were an increased consumption of sweet or salty snacks and being less physically active. These findings confirm the impact of diet and exercise in short term weight gain and plead to take more action in supporting people to achieve healthier behaviours in order to tackle overweight and obesity.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Drieskens ◽  
Nicolas Berger ◽  
Stefanie Vandevijvere ◽  
Lydia Gisle ◽  
Elise Braekman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In Belgium, confinement measures were introduced on the 13th of March 2020 to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). These measures may affect health behaviours of the population such as eating habits, physical activity and alcohol consumption, which in turn can lead to weight gain resulting in overweight and obesity, increasing the risk of several chronic diseases, but also of severe COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of confinement measures on health behaviours and their associations with weight gain.Methods: Data were derived from the second national COVID-19 health survey. Data were collected between the 16th and the 23rd of April 2020. The recruitment of participants was based on snowball sampling via Sciensano’s website, invitations via e-mail and social media. The study sample includes participants aged 18 years and over with no missing data on the variables of interest (n=28,029). The association between self-reported weight gain and health behaviour changes, adjusted for gender, age group and household composition was assessed through OR’s (95% CI) calculated with logistic regression models, using post-stratification weights.Results: Overall, 28.6% reported weight gain after 6 weeks of confinement. Higher odds of weight gain were observed among participants who increased or decreased their consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (OR=1.39 (1.15-1.68) and 1.29 (1.04-1.60), respectively), among those who increased their consumption of sweet or salty snacks (OR=3.65 (3.27-4.07)), among those who became less physically active (OR=1.91 (1.71-2.13)), and among those who increased their alcohol consumption (OR=1.86 (1.66-2.08)).Conclusions: The most important correlates of weight gain during confinement were an increased consumption of sweet or salty snacks and being less physically active. These findings confirm the impact of diet and exercise on short term weight gain and plead to take more action, in supporting people to achieve healthier behaviours in order to tackle overweight and obesity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Drieskens ◽  
Nicolas Berger ◽  
Stefanie Vandevijvere ◽  
Lydia Gisle ◽  
Elise Braekman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In Belgium, confinement measures were introduced on the 13th of March 2020 to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). These measures may affect health behaviours of the population such as eating habits, physical activity and alcohol consumption, which in turn can lead to weight gain resulting in overweight and obesity, increasing the risk of several chronic diseases, but also of severe COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of confinement measures on health behaviours and their associations with weight gain. Methods Data were derived from the second national COVID-19 health survey. Data were collected between the 16th and the 23rd of April 2020. The recruitment of participants was based on snowball sampling via Sciensano’s website, invitations via e-mail and social media. The study sample includes participants aged 18 years and over with no missing data on the variables of interest (n = 28,029). The association between self-reported weight gain and health behaviour changes, adjusted for gender, age group and household composition was assessed through OR’s (95% CI) calculated with logistic regression models, using post-stratification weights. Results Overall, 28.6% reported weight gain after 6 weeks of confinement. Higher odds of weight gain were observed among participants who increased or decreased their consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (OR = 1.39 (1.15–1.68) and 1.29 (1.04–1.60), respectively), among those who increased their consumption of sweet or salty snacks (OR = 3.65 (3.27–4.07)), among those who became less physically active (OR = 1.91 (1.71–2.13)), and among those who increased their alcohol consumption (OR = 1.86 (1.66–2.08)). Conclusions The most important correlates of weight gain during confinement were an increased consumption of sweet or salty snacks and being less physically active. These findings confirm the impact of diet and exercise on short term weight gain and plead to take more action, in supporting people to achieve healthier behaviours in order to tackle overweight and obesity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vilma Kriaucioniene ◽  
Lina Bagdonaviciene ◽  
Celia Rodríguez-Pérez ◽  
Janina Petkeviciene

The COVID-19 quarantine has caused significant changes in everyday life. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the quarantine on dietary, physical activity and alcohol consumption habits of Lithuanians and the association between health behaviours and weight changes. An online cross-sectional survey was carried out among individuals older than 18 years in April 2020. The self-administered questionnaire included health behaviour and weight change data. Altogether 2447 subjects participated in the survey. Almost half of the respondents (49.4%) ate more than usual, 45.1% increased snacking, and 62.1% cooked at home more often. Intake of carbonated or sugary drinks, fast food and commercial pastries decreased, while consumption of homemade pastries and fried food increased. A decrease in physical activity was reported by 60.6% of respondents. Every third (31.5%) respondent, more often those already with overweight, gained weight. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the higher odds of weight gain were associated with females, older age, increased consumption of sugary drinks, homemade pastries and fried food, eating more than usual, increased snacking, decreased physical activity and increased alcohol consumption. Our data highlighted the need for dietary and physical activity guidelines to prevent weight gain during the period of self-isolation, especially targeting those with overweight and obesity.


2021 ◽  
pp. 146801732110117
Author(s):  
Fakir Al Gharaibeh ◽  
Laura Gibson

Summary COVID-19 is shaping all aspects of life throughout the world. The unexpected number of people who have been infected with and died from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is evidence that the pandemic has affected families and societies. The strong shock wave that has resulted in the international response has focused more on medical rather than psychosocial interventions. Little has been written or studied about the impact of COVID-19 on families. This article explores the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on the mental health of families. We conducted 20 in-depth interviews with Jordanian families through snowball sampling. Findings The results show that 20 interviewees described varied and new experiences. Many of the families we interviewed displayed symptoms of mental health problems, including disrupted sleep patterns, changes in eating habits, excessive digital media use, anxiety, depression, excessive smoking, stomach aches, bedwetting among children, and persistent headaches. The study also demonstrated the psychological stress partners felt during the lockdown due to their worries about job security. They also communicated their hope that renewed family commitments might bring more stability to their relationships. During the lockdown, family members spent more time together, and it became harder to conceal any issues from each other. Applications The findings of this research demonstrate a critical need for social workers, and it is hoped that future legislation will include a role for social workers in various fields of crisis. Moreover, social workers should encourage families to ask for intervention to overcome the long-term effects that may result from COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
pp. 240-251
Author(s):  
Márcia Greguol ◽  
Cristiana Conti ◽  
Bruno Marson Malagodi ◽  
Bruna Barboza Seron ◽  
Elaine Cappellazzo Souto ◽  
...  

The global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 has profoundly changed the daily life of most of the world population. People with disabilities have been particularly affected by these changes, which often have accentuated their isolation and marginalization also due to greater difficulties in accessing healthcare services. People with disabilities have also been impacted in relation to their ability to participate in physical activity with even more adverse consequences for their quality of life and health. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity practice of people with disabilities and to understand the changes that caregivers have perceived for the participation in physical activity of this specific population. It emerged that, regardless of the type of disability, people with this condition experienced drastic reductions in their physical activity levels during the pandemic and in most cases did not have access to any type of remote guidance. Furthermore, a higher prevalence of sedentary behavior and negative changes in eating habits have been reported by the caregivers, highlighting the need for specific strategies and initiatives for people with disabilities to maintain healthy habits and a physically active lifestyle.


Author(s):  
Martin Simko ◽  
Adrian Totka ◽  
Diana Vondrova ◽  
Martin Samohyl ◽  
Jana Jurkovicova ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of selected pregnancy pathologies statistically depending on overweight/obesity and excessive maternal weight gain during pregnancy on women who gave birth in the years 2013–2015 at the Second Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the University Hospital in Bratislava, Slovakia. In a retrospective study, we analyzed data gathered from the sample, which consisted of 7122 women. Our results suggest a statistically significant, higher risk for the groups of women with overweight and obesity and gestational hypertension (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 15.3; 95% CI 9.0−25.8 for obesity), preeclampsia (AOR = 3.4; 95% CI 1.9−6.0 for overweight and AOR = 13.2; 95% CI 7.7−22.5 for obesity), and gestational diabetes mellitus (AOR = 1.9; 95% CI 1.2−2.9 for overweight and AOR = 2.4; 95% CI 1.4−4.0 for obesity). A higher incidence of pregnancies terminated by cesarean section was observed in the group of obese women. Gestational weight gain above IOM (Institute of Medicine) recommendations was associated with a higher risk of pregnancy terminated by C-section (AOR = 1.2; 95% CI 1.0−1.3), gestational hypertension (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.0−2.7), and infant macrosomia (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.3−2.1). Overweight and obesity during pregnancy significantly contribute to the development of pregnancy pathologies and increased incidence of cesarean section. Systematic efforts to reduce weight before pregnancy through prepregnancy dietary counseling, regular physical activity, and healthy lifestyle should be the primary goal.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3213
Author(s):  
Addi Rhode Navarro-Cruz ◽  
Ashuin Kammar-García ◽  
Javier Mancilla-Galindo ◽  
Gladys Quezada-Figueroa ◽  
Mariana Tlalpa-Prisco ◽  
...  

Domiciliary confinement of people is one of the main strategies to limit the impact of COVID-19. Lockdowns have led to changes in lifestyle, emotional health, and eating habits. We aimed to evaluate the association of differences in dietary behaviours and lifestyle with self-reported weight gain during the COVID-19 lockdown in Chile. In this cross-sectional analytical study, five previously validated surveys were condensed into a single 86-item online questionnaire. The survey was sent to 1000 potential participants of the university community; it was kept online for 28 days to be answered. Of the 639 respondents, the mean self-reported weight gain during confinement was 1.99 kg (standard deviation [SE]: 0.17) and 0.7 (SE: 0.06) units of body mass index (BMI) (both p < 0.001) and the median difference in body weight during lockdown was 3.3% (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.0–6.7). The differences of intake of most food groups before and during lockdown were associated with greater self-reported weight, BMI and percentage weight gain. Differences in lifestyle (odds ratio [OR] = 14.21, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 2.35–85.82) worsening eating habits (OR = 3.43, 95%CI: 2.31–5.09), and more consumption of sweet or filled cookies and cakes during lockdown (OR = 2.11, 95%CI: 1.42–3.13) were associated with self-reported weight gain. In conclusion, different dietary behaviours (mainly consumption of industrialized foods) during lockdown, as well as quality of life deterioration were the main factors associated with self-reported weight gain during lockdown.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayleigh E Easey ◽  
Gemma C Sharp

AbstractBackgroundThere is some evidence that paternal health behaviours during and around pregnancy could be associated with offspring health outcomes. However, the impact that paternal health behaviours during pregnancy can have on offspring mental health is understudied and remains unclear.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of articles in PubMed describing studies of potentially modifiable paternal health behaviours (tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, caffeine consumption and physical activity) in the prenatal period in relation to offspring mental health.ResultsTen studies were included and categorized by paternal health behaviour and offspring mental health outcome investigated. The narrative synthesis provided evidence of association between paternal health behaviours around pregnancy and offspring mental health problems, with the strongest evidence shown for tobacco use. Grouped by analysis type, two separate meta-analyses showed evidence of paternal smoking during pregnancy being associated with greater odds of ADHD in offspring (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.99; HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.39).ConclusionsOur review suggests that paternal tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption in the prenatal period are associated with poorer offspring mental health, particularly hyperactivity/ADHD. Future investigation using methods that allow stronger causal inference is needed to further investigate if these associations are causal.


Author(s):  
Gina Trakman ◽  
Kiera Staley ◽  
Adrienne Forsyth ◽  
Brooke Devlin ◽  
Anne Skiadopoulos ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Community sport settings present a range of conflicting health behaviours, including the tension between being physically active and consuming discretionary foods. Therefore, community sport settings are considered a promising location for health promotion. The aim of this project was to evaluate perceptions, knowledge and the impact (e.g., barriers and outcomes) of a healthy-canteen (cafeteria) display, based on traffic light labeling (TLL), which was set up at an Australian Basketball Association Managers’ Convention and Trade Show. (2) Methods: We set up a healthy ‘canteen display and surveyed Basketball managers on their perceptions of the display before (Survey 1) and after (Survey 2) visiting the display. Three months later they were surveyed (Survey 3) on changes made to their community sport canteens. (3) Results: Eighty-eight, 76 and 22 participants completed Surveys 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Participants believed stocking healthy foods and beverages was important (mean 8.5/10). Food waste, lack of consumer interest and price were identified barriers to stocking healthy foods. After visiting the display, 75% were inspired to make changes and 50% were surprised by the differences between their perceptions of the healthfulness of foods and the TLL ratings. Post-convention, 41% and 70% made or had planned healthy changes to their community sport canteen. (4) Conclusions: A healthy-canteen display is a low-cost, easy-to-implement strategy that may be able to direct self-driven improvement in the healthfulness of foods stocked at community canteens and lead to improved nutritional intakes at these venues.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 11562-11562
Author(s):  
Antonio Di Meglio ◽  
Gwenn Menvielle ◽  
Agnes Dumas ◽  
Arnauld S. Gbenou ◽  
Thomas Bovagnet ◽  
...  

11562 Background: Overweight and obesity are strongly linked to poorer BC-specific outcomes, quality of life and financial burden in cancer care. Weight loss interventions have the potential to improve such outcomes. Fewer data exist on whether excess weight and post-diagnosis weight changes impact the ability of BC survivors to return to work (RTW). Methods: CANTO (NCT01993498) is a multicenter prospective longitudinal study of 12000 patients (pts) with stage I-III BC that characterizes long-term toxicities of BC treatment. Of 5801 pts enrolled from 2012-2014 (last data lock), we identified 1874 pts who were professionally active at BC diagnosis, ≥5 years (yrs) younger than minimum legal retirement age (62 yrs) and with updated work status 2 yrs after diagnosis. Logistic regression models evaluated the impact of body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis and of weight changes over 2 yrs after diagnosis on odds of non-RTW, adjusting for age, education, income, BC treatment and recreational physical activity (PA). Results: 37% pts were overweight or obese at diagnosis (BMI ≥25 kg/m2): 34% of them gained ≥5% and 16% lost ≥5% weight after diagnosis. Rates of non-RTW at 2 yrs were significantly higher in overweight or obese vs under or normal weight pts (27% vs 18%, p≤.001; adjusted odds ratio 1.37, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.04-1.80, p = .017). Overweight and obese pts who did not RTW experienced higher increments in weight (mean [95% CI]: +3.6% [+2.3, +4.9] vs +1.5% [+0.8, +2.2]) and reported more modest changes in PA (mean [95% CI]: +1.0 [-1.4, +3.5] vs +2.1 [+0.8, +3.3] MET-h/week) vs those who did RTW. Weight changes independently impacted odds of non-RTW in overweight and obese pts (p for interaction weight change*BMI ≤.001): a 5% weight gain was associated with 17% increase in adjusted odds of non-RTW (95% CI 2-35%, p = .024), whereas a loss ≥5% with 60% reduced odds of non-RTW vs weight gain (95% CI 18-82%, p = .013). Conclusions: Excess weight and weight changes are significantly associated with occupational reintegration after BC in overweight and obese pts. Randomized studies testing dedicated weight control interventions should also measure outcomes of social rehabilitation in this large subset of survivors. Clinical trial information: NCT01993498.


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