Has COVID-19 Changed the Lifestyle and Dietary Habits in the Spanish Population after Confinement?

Abstract

Since 2020, the world has been immersed in a change in lifestyle (social, lifestyle, nutri-tion and physical activity patterns), due to the appearance of COVID-19 and the strict mobility measures which were implemented to prevent its spread. All these changes had a nutritional impact on people, modifying their dietary guidelines. This cross-sectional study was carried out to assess whether dietary habits, lifestyle, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet among the Spanish adult population (25–65 years old) during confinement was modified during the post-confinement period, using an e-survey through social networks, involving 510 subjects. A decrease in the intake of ultra-processed products, with a correlation between weekly food delivery orders at home and the consumption of salty snacks, sugary drinks, and processed pastries was also recorded. Most of the subjects performed physical exercise on a regular basis, maintaining the body weight in half of the participants. During the post-confinement period a substantial proportion of the population had healthy lifestyle and dietary habits, including the adequate consumption of fruits, vegetables and legumes; adequate time was spent preparing meals and the population did not regularly order food at home, which in the long term, reduced the risk of several diseases.

Change of Dietary and Lifestyle Habits during and after the COVID-19 Lockdown in Cyprus: An Analysis of Two Observational Studies

“…According to our findings, the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and legumes was higher during the lockdown compared to the post-lockdown period. Our results are comparable with other studies, which found an increase in fruit, vegetable, and legume consumption during the lockdown [19,[35][36][37][38]. Our findings are also consistent with the literature, which supports that people consumed more healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables during lockdown [39][40][41][42].…”

“…Moreover, in another study, it was shown that the majority of Italians did not follow healthy dietary habits during the pandemic [ 17 ]. Other studies found an improvement in the quality of diet among young individuals [ 19 , 20 , 21 ], where increased cooking frequency was found to be associated with improved diet quality [ 21 ]. For instance, a study that investigated the change in dietary habits in the Spanish population after confinement reported that younger individuals spent less time preparing meals than older individuals [ 21 ].…”

Behavioral and Emotional Changes One Year after the First Lockdown Induced by COVID-19 in a French Adult Population

“…Our results contradict those obtained in Spain and Australia that show less sedentary and more active behavior after the lockdown [ 6 , 8 ]. Travel and movement restrictions differed from one country to the next.…”

“…Outdoor physical activities were therefore made impossible, and the lack of suitable space at home led to sedentary behaviors [ 5 ]. The Spaniards seized the lifting of the lockdown as an opportunity to resume exercising [ 6 ]. Furthermore, the end of the first lockdown in France coincided with the return to work where telecommuting was strongly favored.…”

“…It was the European country with the highest rate of inactivity because there was no space at home to carry out exercises [ 5 ]. However, post-lockdown, most of the subjects exercised two or three days a week [ 6 ].…”