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

Abstract

Objective: To investigate dietary habits, sleep and psychological well-being of adolescents and medical students during COVID-19 lockdown in Split, Croatia. Methods: We surveyed 1326 students during 2018 and 2019, and compared their responses with 531 students enrolled in May 2020. Perceived stress, quality of life (QoL), happiness, anxiety, and optimism were assessed as proxies of psychological well-being, using general linear modelling. Results: We found no substantial differences in dietary pattern between pre-lockdown and lockdown periods, including the overall Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence. However, the MD pattern changed, showing increased adherence to the MD pyramid for fruit, legumes, fish, and sweets, while cereals, nuts, and dairy intake decreased during COVID-19 lockdown. A third of students reported weight loss during lockdown, 19% reported weight gain, while physical activity remained rather stable. The most prominent change was feeling refreshed after a night’s sleep, reported by 31.5% of students during lockdown vs. 8.5% before; median length of sleep duration increased by 1.5 h. Lockdown significantly affected QoL, happiness, optimism (all p < 0.001), and perceived stress in students (p = 0.005). MD adherence was positively correlated with QoL and study time, and negatively with TV and mobile phone use in pre-lockdown period (all p < 0.001). Interestingly, higher MD adherence was correlated with less perceived hardship and greater happiness and QoL during lockdown. Conclusion: These insights provide valuable information for tailored interventions aimed at maintaining healthy lifestyle in young population. Given the numerous beneficial effects associated with MD adherence, modification of lifestyle through application of lifestyle medicine deserves a priority approach.

Effect of COVID-19 on Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescents and Children: A Systematic Review

“…Regarding the instruments used to evaluate the HRQoL, four different scales were used to evaluate the HRQoL of children and adolescents: KIDSCREEN-10 index, the SF-36, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Questionnaire, and a Likert Scale (0–10). Three articles explicitly stated that used language validated versions [ 16 , 22 ] whereas the other three articles only described the questionnaire in their article [ 15 , 17 , 18 ]. To summarize, three articles reported that COVID-19 significantly reduced the HRQoL of children and adolescents [ 15 , 16 ], two articles did not find a significant impact [ 17 , 18 ], and one article did not report statistical comparison between pre- and post-pandemic data.…”

“…Three articles explicitly stated that used language validated versions [ 16 , 22 ] whereas the other three articles only described the questionnaire in their article [ 15 , 17 , 18 ]. To summarize, three articles reported that COVID-19 significantly reduced the HRQoL of children and adolescents [ 15 , 16 ], two articles did not find a significant impact [ 17 , 18 ], and one article did not report statistical comparison between pre- and post-pandemic data. Differences between girls and boys were explored in two articles [ 16 , 22 ] and non-significant differences were observed in the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the HRQoL.…”

“…Thus, it is expected that HRQoL would be reduced in children and adolescents. Previous studies have indicated that HRQoL have been reduced due to COVID-19 [ 15 , 16 ] whereas others did not find differences [ 17 , 18 ]. However, to the best of our knowledge, no systematic review has synthesized the existing results in order to clarify this divergence.…”

Dietary Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study Using Objective Sequential Diet Records from an Electronic Purchase System in a Workplace Cafeteria in Japan

“…The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and related restrictions have led to widespread changes; this also applies to lifestyles, including eating habits [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. So far, as a result of the pandemic, Japan has twice experienced a state of emergency.…”

“…Further, remote work and studying would affect mealtimes as well as the amount and type of food consumed. In fact, COVID-19-related studies have reported dietary behavior changes in children with obesity in Italy [ 1 ]; adolescents in Croatia [ 2 ]; adults in the USA [ 3 ], Denmark [ 4 ], France [ 5 ], Italy [ 6 ], Lithuania [ 7 ] and China [ 8 ]; and older adults in the Netherlands [ 9 ].…”