Eating habits and lifestyle Changes during COVID-19 lockdown: an Italian survey

Abstract Background: On December 12, 2019 a new coronavirus (SARS-Cov2) emerged in Wuhan, China, sparking a pandemic of acute respiratory syndrome in humans (COVID-19). At 24th of April 2020, the number of COVID-19 deaths in the world, according to the COVID-Case Tracker by Johns Hopkins University, was 195,313 and the number of Covid-19 confirmed cases was 2,783,512. The COVID-19 pandemic represents a massive impact on human health, causing sudden lifestyle changes, through social distancing and isolation at home, with social and economic consequences. Optimizing public health during this pandemic requires not only knowledge from the medical and biological sciences, but also of all human sciences related to lifestyle, social and behavioural studies, including dietary habits and lifestyle. Methods: Our study aimed to investigate the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating habits and lifestyle changes among Italian population aged ≥12 years. The study instrument comprised a structured questionnaire packet that inquired demographic information (age, gender, place of residence, current employment); anthropometrics data (reported weight and height); dietary habits information (Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, daily intake of certain foods, food frequency, number of meals/day); lifestyle habits information (grocery shopping, smoke habit, sleep quality and physical activity). The survey was conducted from 5th to 24th of April 2020. Results: the perception of weight gain was observed in 48.6% of the population; 3.3% of smokers decided to quit smoking; a slight increased physical activity has been reported, especially for bodyweight training, in 38.3% of respondents; the population group aged 18-30 years resulted to have a higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet when compared to the youngers and the olders (p=0.000; p=0.000); 15% of respondents turned to farmers or organic purchasing groups for fruit and vegetables, especially in North and Center Italy, where BMI values were lower. Conclusions: In the present study, we provided for the first time data on the Italian population lifestyle, eating habits and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet pattern during the COVID-19 lockdown. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, our data need to be confirmed and investigated in future larger population studies.

Download Full-text

Self-Perceived Physical Activity and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Healthy Adolescents during COVID-19: Findings from the DIMENU Pilot Study

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9060622 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 622

Author(s):

Angelo Galluccio ◽

Giovanna Caparello ◽

Ennio Avolio ◽

Emanuele Manes ◽

Simona Ferraro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Wellness Programs ◽

Health Impact ◽

The Self ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Mediterranean Diet Adherence ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Impact

The global pandemic coronavirus disease (COVID-19) resulted in restrictions which forced adolescents to stay at home and influenced their food habits and lifestyles with potential negative health impact. This study aims to investigate the self-reported physical activity (PA) and eating habits related to the consumption of Mediterranean foods in a sample of adolescents during the COVID-19 lockdown enrolled into the DIMENU study. A web survey was launched for 91 adolescents (aged 15–17 years) to assess their adherence to the Mediterranean Diet using the KIDMED test and lifestyle habits using a questionnaire designed following recommendations by Italian National Institute of Health (ISS score). Our results indicate that most of the sample declared no changes in eating habits and PA without sex differences. After dividing the sample into active and sedentary groups based on the self-perceived PA, we found that KIDMED and ISS scores were significantly higher (p = 0.0028 and p = 0.0001, respectively) in active adolescents. Moreover, KIDMED was positively correlated with ISS only in active adolescents (r = 0.311, p = 0.0185). In conclusion, our data underline the impact of the PA on the Mediterranean diet adherence in adolescents during the lockdown, suggesting the usefulness of promoting wellness programs directed towards inactive individuals to increase their awareness on the importance of healthy lifestyles.

Download Full-text

An Italian Survey on Dietary Habits and Changes during the COVID-19 Lockdown

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13041197 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1197

Author(s):

Luana Izzo ◽

Antonio Santonastaso ◽

Gaetano Cotticelli ◽

Alessandro Federico ◽

Severina Pacifico ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

World Health ◽

Italian Population ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Diet Adherence ◽

Mediterranean Diet Adherence ◽

The World ◽

The Impact

The World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern; the outbreak has led to lockdowns in several parts of the world, and sudden changes in people’s lifestyles. This study explores the impact of the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic period on dietary habits, lifestyle changes, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet among the Italian population, through an online questionnaire, conducted from April to May 2020, involving 1519 participants. The 14-point Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) highlighted a medium Mediterranean diet adherence in 73.5% of responders, which principally included the younger population, aged 18–30 years (p < 0.05). In regards to changes in eating habits, 33.5% of responders declared an influence of the pandemic period on nutritional practice. A decrease in alcohol consumption was reported by 81% of responders, while an increase in frozen food consumption was reported by 81.3% of responders. In addition, 58.8% reported positive weight modification (40.8%, +1–3 kg); physical activity reduction was reported for 70.5% of responders. Our study contributes toward amplifying the investigation on the dietary habits and changes of the Italian population during the COVID-19 lockdown, although the pandemic is ongoing. Similar studies should be performed around the world to understand how the emergency has impacted people’s habits.

Download Full-text

Nutritional Behaviors, Vitamin Supplementation and Physical Activity among Polish Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu14020331 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 331

Author(s):

Bogna Gryszczyńska ◽

Magdalena Budzyń ◽

Joanna Grupińska ◽

Magdalena Paulina Kasprzak ◽

Agnieszka Gryszczyńska

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Mass ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Working Women ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

The Self ◽

Vitamin Supplementation ◽

Anonymous Questionnaire ◽

Gender Groups

The COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, including social isolation, movement restrictions and work instability have altered many people’s nutritional behaviors and daily lifestyle. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on selected eating habits, physical activity and daily lifestyle changes of Polish adults (n = 145). The self-designed and anonymous questionnaire was available online from the 1 May 2021 to the 15 May 2021. In general, 60% of respondents declared that the COVID-19 pandemic did not affect their dietary habits, whereas 26% of surveyed individuals answered in the affirmative. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on changing dietary habits was differentiated by age (Pearson’s χ2 = 12.604; p = 0.0134). The number of meals consumed by respondents per day differed across gender groups (Pearson’s χ2 = 9.653; df = 4; p = 0.0466). An increase in body weight during the COVID-19 pandemic was reported by 43% of women and 7.6% of surveyed men. Additionally, hybrid working women declared most often an increase in body mass independent of age, education level and living place. Moreover, the majority of respondents who reported the effect of the pandemic on changing dietary habits also declared more frequent sweets consumption. The study revealed that respondents who stated more frequent sweets consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely associated with an increase in body mass (OR = 6.75, 95% CI, 6.75–91.25). No increase in the consumption of vitamin D, C and Mg supplements and pickled products was found.

Download Full-text

Sustainable dietetic models in Europe: the Mediterranean diet as case study

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckab164.187 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 31 (Supplement_3) ◽

Author(s):

F Scazzina

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Food System ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Well Being ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Total Energy Consumption ◽

Adequate Diet ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Cost

Abstract More than five years since the global commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 690 million people lack sufficient food and economic projections suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic may add an additional 83 to 132 million people to the ranks of the undernourished. Meanwhile, 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted globally each year, utilizing 38% of total energy consumption in the global food system. Child and adult overweight and obesity are increasing in almost all countries, and on a global level the cost of a healthy diet is 60% higher than the cost of a nutrient adequate diet, and almost 5 times the cost of an energy sufficient diet. The Mediterranean Diet is one of the recognized models of healthy and sustainable diets. This model has proven to promote longevity and well-being, not only by considering specific food items and dietary patterns, but also taking into account the culture and the history of populations living in that region, as well as social aspects such as tradition and conviviality. Moreover, it is strongly tied to a gastronomic background that links health with enjoyment. This may be extremely important for the implementation of feasible programs for the prevention of chronic non communicable diseases. In fact, long lasting lifestyle changes are difficult to achieve and, although health motivations may lead to satisfactory dietary compliance in the short term, pleasure remains an important determinant of any dietary change that is intended to last. While keeping traditional dietary habits at European level, the main principles of the Mediterranean diet could be taken into account to identify key features that ensure both health benefits and sustainable impact on environment. Assessing the sustainability of these products can be an effective operational approach for preserving and promoting a Mediterranean-type dietary pattern in the European region.

Download Full-text

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Maternal Lifestyle during Pregnancy: Island–Mainland Differentiation in the CRIBS Birth Cohort

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12082179 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 2179

Author(s):

Dubravka Havaš Auguštin ◽

Jelena Šarac ◽

Mario Lovrić ◽

Jelena Živković ◽

Olga Malev ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Machine Learning ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Island Population ◽

Learning Approach ◽

Modifiable Factors ◽

Machine Learning Approach ◽

The Mediterranean

Maternal nutrition and lifestyle in pregnancy are important modifiable factors for both maternal and offspring’s health. Although the Mediterranean diet has beneficial effects on health, recent studies have shown low adherence in Europe. This study aimed to assess the Mediterranean diet adherence in 266 pregnant women from Dalmatia, Croatia and to investigate their lifestyle habits and regional differences. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed through two Mediterranean diet scores. Differences in maternal characteristics (diet, education, income, parity, smoking, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), physical activity, contraception) with regards to location and dietary habits were analyzed using the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test. The machine learning approach was used to reveal other potential non-linear relationships. The results showed that adherence to the Mediterranean diet was low to moderate among the pregnant women in this study, with no significant mainland–island differences. The highest adherence was observed among wealthier women with generally healthier lifestyle choices. The most significant mainland–island differences were observed for lifestyle and socioeconomic factors (income, education, physical activity). The machine learning approach confirmed the findings of the conventional statistical method. We can conclude that adverse socioeconomic and lifestyle conditions were more pronounced in the island population, which, together with the observed non-Mediterranean dietary pattern, calls for more effective intervention strategies.

Download Full-text

Design and development of an instrument to measure overall lifestyle habits for epidemiological research: the Mediterranean Lifestyle (MEDLIFE) index

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980014001360 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 959-967 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Mercedes Sotos-Prieto ◽

Belén Moreno-Franco ◽

Jose M Ordovás ◽

Montse León ◽

Jose A Casasnovas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Interaction ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Health Study ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Lifestyle Habits ◽

The Mediterranean

AbstractObjectiveTo design and develop a questionnaire that can account for an individual’s adherence to a Mediterranean lifestyle including the assessment of diet and physical activity patterns, as well as social interaction.DesignThe Mediterranean Lifestyle (MEDLIFE) index was created based on the current Spanish Mediterranean food guide pyramid. MEDLIFE is a twenty-eight-item derived index consisting of questions about food consumption (fifteen items), traditional Mediterranean dietary habits (seven items) and physical activity, rest and social interaction habits (six items). Linear regression models and Spearman rank correlation were fitted to assess content validity and internal consistency.SettingA subset of participants in the Aragon Workers’ Health Study cohort (Zaragoza, Spain) provided the data for development of MEDLIFE.SubjectsParticipants (n 988) of the Aragon Workers’ Health Study cohort in Spain.ResultsMean MEDLIFE score was 11·3 (sd 2·6; range: 0–28), and the quintile distribution of MEDLIFE score showed a significant association with each of the individual items as well as with specific nutrients and lifestyle indicators (intra-validity). We also quantified MEDLIFE correspondence with previously reported diet quality indices and found significant correlations (ρ range: 0·44–0·53; P<0·001) for the Alternate Healthy Eating Index, the Alternate Mediterranean Diet Index and Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener.ConclusionsMEDLIFE is the first index to include an overall assessment of lifestyle habits. It is expected to be a more holistic tool to measure adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle in epidemiological studies.

Download Full-text

Diet and Lifestyle Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ibero-American Countries: Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and Spain

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2021.671004 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Oscar G. Enriquez-Martinez ◽

Marcia C. T. Martins ◽

Taisa S. S. Pereira ◽

Sandaly O. S. Pacheco ◽

Fabio J. Pacheco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Food Consumption ◽

Online Survey ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Sleep Time ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Eating Pattern ◽

Diet And Lifestyle

This study aimed to evaluate changes in dietary and lifestyle habits during the period of confinement due to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ibero-American countries. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted with 6,325 participants of both genders (68% women), over 18 years of age and from five countries: Brazil (N = 2,171), Argentina (N = 1,111), Peru (N = 1,174), Mexico (N = 686), and Spain (N = 1,183). Data were collected during the year 2020, between April 01 and June 30 in Spain and between July 13 and September 26, in the other countries studied using a self-administered online survey designed for the assessment of sociodemographic, employment, physical activity, health status, and dietary habits changes. Most participants (61.6%), mainly those from Spain, remained constant, without improving or worsening their pattern of food consumption. Among those who changed, a pattern of better eating choices prevailed (22.7%) in comparison with those who changed toward less healthy choices (15.7%). Argentina and Brazil showed the highest proportion of changes toward a healthier pattern of food consumption. Peruvians and Mexicans were less likely to make healthy changes in food consumption (OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.4–0.6 and OR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.4–0.8, respectively), when compared to Argentinians. Most respondents did not change their pattern of meal consumption, but those who did reduced their consumption of main meals and increased intake of small meals and snacks. Although most participants affirmed to be doing physical activity at home, about one-half reported perception of weight gain. Individuals with alterations in sleep pattern (either by increasing or decreasing sleep time) were more likely to change their diets to a healthier pattern. In contrast, individuals with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and those who reported feeling anxious were more likely to perform changes to a less healthy eating pattern (OR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.2–2.3 and OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.1–1.4, respectively). In conclusion, although most participants remained constant in their eating habits, lifestyle changes and anxiety feelings were reported. Among those who changed patterns of food consumption, healthier choices prevailed, with differences between countries. However, there were alterations in the distribution of meals, with higher consumption of snacks and small meals. These results can be used to guide policies to prevent deleterious consequences that may affect the incidence of chronic diseases.

Download Full-text

Physical Activity, Body Mass, and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in the Split-Dalmatia County (Croatia)

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16183237 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (18) ◽

pp. 3237

Author(s):

Lejla Obradovic Salcin ◽

Zeljka Karin ◽

Vesna Miljanovic Damjanovic ◽

Marko Ostojic ◽

Andrea Vrdoljak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Composition ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Body Mass ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Preschool Age ◽

Chi Square ◽

Random Factor ◽

The Mediterranean

Physical activity, body mass, and dietary habits are known to be important determinants of overall health status, but there is an evident lack of studies that examine these issues specifically in preschool children. The aim of this study was to identify associations that may exist between adhering to the Mediterranean diet (MD), levels of physical activity (PA), and body composition indices in apparently healthy preschool children from southern Croatia. Participants were 5- to 6-year-old preschoolers from the Mediterranean part of the country (the Split-Dalmatia County; n = 260, 126 females). Adherence to the MD was observed by the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), PA level was evaluated by the Preschool-age Children’s Physical Activity Questionnaire (Pre-PAQ), and responses were collected from the parents. The participants’ waist circumferences (in cm), waist-to-hip ratios, and body mass index (in kg/m2, and in a z-score calculated relative to the normative value for age and sex) were used as indicators of body composition. All children were of the same age and tested over a one-month period of the same year as a part of the regular examination undertaken before attending elementary school. With only 6% of the children having a low KIDMED score, adherence to the MD was high. MD adherence was higher in girls (Chi-square = 15.31, p < 0.01) and children who live on the coast of the Adriatic Sea (Chi-square = 18.51, p < 0.01). A mixed effects logistic regression (with kindergarten as random factor) identified sedentary activity to be negatively associated with MD adherence (OR per point: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44–0.91). High adherence to the MD in the studied sample may be attributed to regulated feeding in kindergarten. Considering that most Croatian elementary schools do not provide food to their students, MD adherence should be investigated later in life and also in other parts of the country where the MD is culturally less prevalent.

Download Full-text

Low Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Isolated Adolescents: The Mediation Effects of Stress

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10121894 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 1894 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Rosario Ferrer-Cascales ◽

Natalia Albaladejo-Blázquez ◽

Nicolás Ruiz-Robledillo ◽

María Rubio-Aparicio ◽

Ana Laguna-Pérez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Eating Habits ◽

High Stress ◽

Mediation Effect ◽

Main Role ◽

Mediation Effects ◽

Stress Levels ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Relationship

Loneliness perception during adolescence has been increased dramatically in recent years. Changes in lifestyle and difficulties in social interaction could explain this increased phenomenon. As described in previous research, this fact has been associated with the development of high stress levels and dysfunctional lifestyles, in which eating habits play a main role. In this regard, loneliness has been classically associated with poor eating habits, fundamentally the consumption of processed food with little nutritional value. However, the relationship between loneliness and healthy eating patterns, such as the Mediterranean Diet (MD), has not been previously analyzed. The main aim of the present study was to identify the relationship between perceived loneliness, stress, dietary habits, and adherence to the MD in a sample of 527 Spanish adolescents. The obtained results show a significant association between high perceived loneliness and high stress levels with lower MD adherence. Hence, adolescents with high perceived loneliness exhibit poor dietary habits in comparison to those counterparts with low perceived loneliness. Mediation analyses demonstrated an indirect effect of the loneliness on adherence to the MD through the mediation effect of stress. These findings point out a possible mechanism that underlies the classic association between loneliness and health deterioration, based on a poor adherence to a healthy dietary pattern, such as the MD.

Download Full-text

Eating Habits and Lifestyle Changes Among Turkish Population During Covid-19 Pandemic Period

Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology ◽

10.24925/turjaf.v9i12.2206-2212.4477 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 2206-2212

Author(s):

Sibel Karakaya ◽

Merve Eda Eker ◽

Sedef Nehir El ◽

Beste Özsezen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Turkish Population ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Smoking Habits ◽

Mailing Lists ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Age Range ◽

The Impact

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on eating habits, and lifestyles including sleeping and smoking habits, and physical activity of the Turkish population aged >15 years using a web-survey. The survey was conducted from the 5th of August to the 4th of October 2020 by using an online platform and disseminated through institutional and private social networks (Facebook and WhatsApp) and institutional mailing lists. The questionnaire consisted of demographic information, anthropometric data, changes in dietary habits, and changes in lifestyle habits. The total number of participants was 1020 in the study and 71.1% of them are female, and 80% of the participants were in the 20-59 age range. More than half of the participants (67.42%) declared that their eating habits and lifestyles changed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Most of the participants (63%) declared that there is no special food that can improve their immunity against the Covid-19. Contrary to them, most of those who added certain foods to their diets or increased the consumption of certain foods to improve the immunity (39.8%), declared that they got that information from social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp. In particular smoking habits did not change and sleep hours increased during the Covid-19 period. Concerning physical activity, no significant difference was found between the percentage of people before and during the Covid-19 period.

Download Full-text