Associations between Changes in Health Behaviours and Body Weight during the COVID-19 Quarantine in Lithuania: The Lithuanian COVIDiet Study

Abstract

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.

Have Lifestyle Habits and Psychological Well-Being Changed among Adolescents and Medical Students Due to COVID-19 Lockdown in Croatia?

“…The impact of lockdown on food intake among our students was equivocal. Meal patterns remained stable, unlike in previous studies, which showed an increased number of main meals and snacking [5,43], explained by spending more time on cooking, trying new recipes and enjoying food without rushing during lockdown [5]. Even though we didn't find differences in breakfast frequency, number of meals per day, snacking frequency or overall Mediterranean diet adherence, some differences have been recorded between the two study periods.…”

“…Inevitably, those and similar measures tremendously impacted economy and functioning of society at large [ 4 ], but they also affected everyday life and health behaviors [ 5 ]. Unavoidably, restrictions on travel and outdoor activities, along with physical distancing, self-isolation and quarantine, disarranged routine daily activities, affecting in particular physical activity and eating habits of all age groups [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

“…Inevitably, those and similar measures tremendously impacted economy and functioning of society at large [ 4 ], but they also affected everyday life and health behaviors [ 5 ]. Unavoidably, restrictions on travel and outdoor activities, along with physical distancing, self-isolation and quarantine, disarranged routine daily activities, affecting in particular physical activity and eating habits of all age groups [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. These new conditions and the overall uncertainty resulted in pronounced distress, with a negative impact on psychological well-being [ 9 ], with increased reported depression and anxiety symptoms throughout the population [ 10 ].…”

“…As of recently, more studies have been published on COVID-19 lockdown effects on dietary habits, as well as on other lifestyle behaviors [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 17 , 18 ]. However, most of the previous studies focused on adult population, and only few studies have been published so far about COVID-19 lockdown influence on lifestyle change in adolescents [ 19 , 20 , 21 ] and in medical students [ 22 , 23 ].…”

Editorial: COVID-19 in older persons: the role of nutrition

“…In another online-survey from Lithuania with 2447 participants it was observed that 49.4% ate more than before and 45.1% increased snacking, while intake of fast food, sugary drinks and commercial pastries decreased. A third of respondents described a gain of weight, more often those with overweight and those that were older [ 18 ]. Summarizing the current literature on the effects of confinement and quarantine on nutritional intake and nutritional status during the COVID-19 pandemic it has to be acknowledged that most studies relied on convenience samples that were recruited online.…”