Changes in health behaviours during early COVID-19 and socio-demographic disparities: a cross-sectional analysis

Zajacova, Anna; Jehn, Anthony; Stackhouse, Matthew; Denice, Patrick; Ramos, Howard

doi:10.17269/s41997-020-00434-y

Cited by 106 publications

(137 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…The small changes in diet, alcohol, and smoking habits in the present study are in line with studies from other countries [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 15 , 17 , 19 ]. However, perceived changes varied between and within subgroups.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…For alcohol, young individuals in this study had higher odds of both an increase and decrease in alcohol intake, with women having a lower probability of decreasing their alcohol intake. A Canadian study concluded that younger individuals and individuals with higher educational levels had higher risks of increasing their alcohol intake compared to older individuals and those with a lower education level [ 15 ]. For smoking, our results indicated that daily smokers had a 53% higher risk of increasing their smoking compared to occasional smokers, which is in line with a small Italian study [ 19 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conversely, in Italy, total PA decreased significantly during the first COVID-19 wave as compared to before, in all age groups and especially in men [ 9 ]. Moreover, several studies have shown small changes in dietary habits [ 10 , 11 , 12 ], while others have reported an increase in unhealthy food intake, overeating, and snacking between meals [ 10 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Similarly, studies have indicated that alcohol consumption has not changed during home confinement [ 13 , 16 ], while others have reported increased alcohol consumption [ 15 , 17 , 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, several studies have shown small changes in dietary habits [ 10 , 11 , 12 ], while others have reported an increase in unhealthy food intake, overeating, and snacking between meals [ 10 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Similarly, studies have indicated that alcohol consumption has not changed during home confinement [ 13 , 16 ], while others have reported increased alcohol consumption [ 15 , 17 , 18 ]. Smoking has been reported to both have increased [ 17 , 19 ] and decreased [ 16 , 20 ] during the first wave of COVID-19.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Lifestyle Habits and Mental Health in Light of the Two COVID-19 Pandemic Waves in Sweden, 2020

Blom

Lönn

Ekblom

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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The COVID-19 pandemic has become a public health emergency of international concern, which may have affected lifestyle habits and mental health. Based on national health profile assessments, this study investigated perceived changes of lifestyle habits in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and associations between perceived lifestyle changes and mental health in Swedish working adults. Among 5599 individuals (50% women, 46.3 years), the majority reported no change (sitting 77%, daily physical activity 71%, exercise 69%, diet 87%, alcohol 90%, and smoking 97%) due to the pandemic. Changes were more pronounced during the first wave (April–June) compared to the second (October–December). Women, individuals <60 years, those with a university degree, white-collar workers, and those with unhealthy lifestyle habits at baseline had higher odds of changing lifestyle habits compared to their counterparts. Negative changes in lifestyle habits and more time in a mentally passive state sitting at home were associated with higher odds of mental ill-health (including health anxiety regarding one’s own and relatives’ health, generalized anxiety and depression symptoms, and concerns regarding employment and economy). The results emphasize the need to support healthy lifestyle habits to strengthen the resilience in vulnerable groups of individuals to future viral pandemics and prevent health inequalities in society.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Lifestyle Habits and Mental Health in Light of the Two COVID-19 Pandemic Waves in Sweden, 2020

Blom

Lönn

Ekblom

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…Migrants may be particularly affected due to pre-existing risk factors (48, 49) and potential exclusion and social isolation (50), and worsening of pre-existing mental health conditions (51, 52); providing remote therapy for these individuals can be challenging (53). In one Canadian study, however, immigrants were found to be less likely to increase negative health behaviours than Canada-born adults (54). In a nationally representative US survey carried out in March 2020, COVID-19-related fear and associated anxiety and depressive symptoms were higher for migrants compared with the US-born (p<0.001) (55), with similar findings in other studies (56, 57).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical outcomes and risk factors for COVID-19 among migrant populations in high-income countries: a systematic review

Hayward

Deal

Cheng

et al. 2020

Preprint

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BackgroundMigrants, including refugees, asylum seekers, labour migrants, and undocumented migrants, now constitute a considerable proportion of most high-income countries’ populations, including their skilled and unskilled workforces. Migrants may be at increased risk of COVID-19 due to their health and social circumstances, yet the extent to which they are being affected and their predisposing risk factors are not clearly understood. We did a systematic review to assess clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in migrant populations (cases, hospitalisations, deaths), indirect health and social impacts, and to determine key risk factors.MethodsWe did a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020222135). We searched databases including PubMed, Global Health, Scopus, CINAHL, and pre-print databases (medRxiv) via the WHO Global Research on COVID-19 database to Nov 18, 2020 for peer-reviewed and grey literature pertaining to migrants (defined as foreign born) and COVID-19 in 82 high-income countries. We used our international networks to source national datasets and grey literature. Data were extracted on our primary outcomes (cases, hospitalisations, deaths) and we evaluated secondary outcomes on indirect health and social impacts, and risk factors, using narrative synthesis.Results3016 data sources were screened with 158 from 15 countries included in the analysis (35 data sources for primary outcomes: cases [21], hospitalisations [4]; deaths [15]; 123 for secondary outcomes). We found that migrants are at increased risk of infection and are disproportionately represented among COVID-19 cases. Available datasets suggest a similarly disproportionate representation of migrants in reported COVID-19 deaths, as well as increased all-cause mortality in migrants in some countries in 2020. Undocumented migrants, migrant health and care workers, and migrants housed in camps and labour compounds may have been especially affected. In general, migrants have higher levels of many risk factors and vulnerabilities relevant to COVID-19, including increased exposure to SARS-CoV-2 due to high-risk occupations and overcrowded accommodation, and barriers to health care including inadequate information, language barriers, and reduced entitlement to healthcare coverage related to their immigration status.ConclusionsMigrants in high-income countries are at high risk of exposure to, and infection with, COVID-19. These data are of immediate relevance to national public health responses to the pandemic and should inform policymaking on strategies for reducing transmission of COVID-19 in this population. Robust data on testing uptake and clinical outcomes in migrants, and barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 vaccination, are urgently needed, alongside strengthening engagement with diverse migrant groups.

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Changes in fast food intake in Iranian households during the lockdown period caused by COVID‐19 virus emergency, National Food and Nutrition Surveillance

Rostom

Ghodsi

Amini

et al. 2021

Food Science & Nutrition

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Background Fast foods, though very popular, are commonly known as unhealthy foods. However, coronavirus pandemic may have influenced on food choices of the general population. This study investigated the changes in fast food consumption during epidemic lockdown 2020. Materials and Methods This study was part of a nationwide survey having been conducted using a web‐based electronic self‐administered questionnaire. The questionnaire link was extensively distributed among the whole population both through popular social media platforms and by nutrition and health workers of health offices and medical universities of all provinces. The questionnaire included questions about socio‐demographic characteristics, changes in frequency of fast food consumption as compared with before pandemic, and the reasons for these changes. Results A total of 21,290 households took part in the study of whom 89.8% were male‐headed, and almost 74% were from urban areas. Decrease in fast food consumption was reported by 74.8%, while increase in fast food consumption was reported by 2% of the households during the COVID‐19 quarantine. Among those who decreased their fast food consumption, about 82% had completely omitted them from their food baskets. Fear of contamination of fast foods by coronavirus and increase in the number of people at home were the most and the least frequent reasons for decreasing fast food consumption, respectively. Conclusion Fast food consumption has dramatically decreased during the lockdown period in Iranian households. Though it may be considered a pleasant offshoot of disastrous COVID‐19 epidemic, the foods replaced fast foods in Iranian households and the overall health consequences warrant further studies.

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Changes in health behaviours during early COVID-19 and socio-demographic disparities: a cross-sectional analysis

Cited by 106 publications

References 22 publications

Lifestyle Habits and Mental Health in Light of the Two COVID-19 Pandemic Waves in Sweden, 2020

Lifestyle Habits and Mental Health in Light of the Two COVID-19 Pandemic Waves in Sweden, 2020

Clinical outcomes and risk factors for COVID-19 among migrant populations in high-income countries: a systematic review

Changes in fast food intake in Iranian households during the lockdown period caused by COVID‐19 virus emergency, National Food and Nutrition Surveillance

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