Global Changes and Factors of Increase in Caloric/Salty Food Intake, Screen Use, and Substance Use During the Early COVID-19 Containment Phase in the General Population in France: Survey Study

Abstract

Background The international outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led many countries to enforce drastic containment measures. It has been suggested that this abrupt lockdown of populations will foster addiction-related habits such as caloric/salty food intake, screen use, and substance use. Objective Our aim was to assess the global changes and factors of increase in addiction-related habits during the early COVID-19 containment phase in France. Methods A web-based survey was provided from day 8 to day 13 of the containment and was completed by 11,391 participants. The questions explored sociodemographic features, psychiatric/addiction history, material conditions of lockdown, general stress, mental well-being, and reported changes in several addiction-related behaviors. Global changes were described and factors of increase were explored using population-weighted and adjusted logistic regression models, providing adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and their 95% confidence intervals. Results Overall, the respondents reported more increases in addiction-related habits than decreases, specifically 28.4% (caloric/salty food intake), 64.6% (screen use), 35.6% (tobacco use), 24.8% (alcohol use), and 31.2% (cannabis use). Reduced well-being scores and increased stress scores were general factors of increase in addiction-related habits (P<.001 for all habits). Factors of increase in caloric/salty food intake (n=10,771) were female gender (aOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.48-1.77), age less than 29 years (P<.001), having a partner (aOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06-1.35), being locked down in a more confined space (per 1 square meter/person decrease: aOR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03), being locked down alone (aOR 1.29, 95% CI 1.11-1.49), and reporting current (aOR 1.94, 95% CI 1.62-2.31) or past (aOR 1.27, 95% CI 1.09-1.47) psychiatric treatment. Factors of increase in screen use (n=11,267) were female gender (aOR 1.31, 95% CI 1.21-1.43), age less than 29 years (P<.001), having no partner (aOR 1.18, 95% CI 1.06-1.32), being employed (P<.001), intermediate/high education level (P<.001), being locked down with no access to an outdoor space (aOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05-1.29), being locked down alone (aOR 1.15, 95% CI 1.01-1.32), living in an urban environment (P<.01), and not working (P<.001). Factors of increase in tobacco use (n=2787) were female gender (aOR 1.31, 95% CI 1.11-1.55), having no partner (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.06-1.59), intermediate/low education level (P<.01), and still working in the workplace (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.17-1.86). Factors of increase in alcohol use (n=7108) were age 30-49 years (P<.05), a high level of education (P<.001), and current psychiatric treatment (aOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.10-1.88). The only significant factor of increase in cannabis use (n=620) was intermediate/low level of education (P<.001). Conclusions The early phase of COVID-19 containment in France led to widespread increases in addiction-related habits in the general population. Reduced well-being and increased stress were universal factors of increase. More specific factors were associated with increases in each of the explored habits.

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

“…Social isolation with or without loneliness and boredom can be associated with a negative impact on nutrition habits, obesity, physical activity, and poor physical and mental health [ 6 , 15 , 18 , 20 , 21 ]. Some authors showed that high-level of depression was related to poor diet, increased intake of saturated fat, energy-dense and salty foods [ 6 , 22 ]. Women who tended to act impulsively in a stressing environment were more likely to eat more candies [ 23 ].…”

“…Together with the changes in diet, a strong impact of quarantine on physical activity was observed. Many studies showed that all levels of physical activity decreased and sitting or screen time increased [ 12 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 22 , 24 ]. Few studies found opposite results, showing an increase of physical activity during COVID-19 crisis [ 16 , 27 ].…”

“…The data on alcohol consumption is controversial. Some studies reported an increase in alcohol consumption and higher drinking tendency among alcohol addicts [ 17 , 25 ], while other studies reported decrease in binge drinking and alcohol consumption [ 12 , 15 , 16 , 22 ]. A British study found decreased alcohol consumption only in the younger cohort [ 27 ].…”

The Impact of Obesity and Lifestyle on the Immune System and Susceptibility to Infections Such as COVID-19

“…• Decrease the intake of unhealthy foods and drinks (e.g., ultra-processed, refined carbohydrates, added sugars, and fats) periods lead to increases in sedentary behavior (unhealthy) food consumption, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, stress, and decreased well-being (96)(97)(98). Distressingly, increased food consumption and snacking are more prevalent in people with overweight or obesity.…”

COVID-19 Lockdown and Lifestyles – A Narrative Review

“…There was one study from France, however, which found an increase in cannabis use among 31.2% (195 of 620) of regular cannabis users making up 5.44% (620 of 11,391) of total participants, increased usage. 49…”