How will the way we live look different in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic? A nutrition survey in Greece

Abstract

Background: As we move towards a post-pandemic society, a question arises: How will the way we live look different in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic? Aim: The aim of this survey was to evaluate changes in eating habits and other lifestyle behaviours (i.e., exercise and smoking) of people of almost all ages, who live in Greece, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A web-based survey using conventional sampling was conducted from during December 2020, in Greece. A total of 2258 individuals, aged 17 years and older voluntarily participated (912 (40%) men). Results: 89 (3.94%) of the participants reported that they had, or currently have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Moreover, 36.4% of the participants reported that they have changed their dietary habits during the pandemic towards a healthier diet – those participants had median age of 35 years, were of both sexes, 17% had co-morbidities and 69% with higher education level; moreover, 19% of those participants have started or increased the frequency of receiving dietary supplements that enhance the immune system, 34% of the participants reported that they gained weight during the pandemic period, whereas 19.8% reported that they have lost weight, and 37% of the participants reported that they have started or increased, as compared to the pre-pandemic time, their frequency of physical activities. Conclusions: The COVID-19_pandemic seems to have forced people to discover again habits and traditions towards a more natural and healthier way of living. Long-term consequences and the evolution of these lifestyle changes after the COVID-19 pandemic have to be evaluated relevant to their implications in public health.

Prevalence, Determinants, and Consumer Stance towards Dietary Supplements According to Sex in a Large Greek Sample: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Thus, before the pandemic, similar studies revealed high percentages of history of DS use (e.g., Switzerland 53% [ 26 ] and Saudi Arabia 63.2% [ 16 ]); meanwhile, others examined DS usage using a relatively wide usage timeframe, such as during the last one or two years (e.g., Spain: 9.3% [ 7 ], Poland: 10% [ 8 ], France: 40.8% [ 27 ], Italy: 49% [ 22 ], Netherlands: 62% [ 18 ] and Lithuania: 66.1% [ 9 ]) or a narrower range, such as during the previous week/month (e.g., France: 24.8% [ 27 ], Greece: 31.4% [ 12 ], Australia: 43.2% [ 28 ], Denmark: 55.8% [ 21 ] and USA: 57.6% [ 29 ]). Indeed, many studies have shown an increase in DS use after the pandemic began (e.g., Spain: 21.3% [ 10 ], Poland: 48–79% [ 11 ] and Lithuania: 78.1% [ 9 ]), with Greece, however, showing mixed results [ 12 , 13 ].…”

“…Such a shift among Greek consumers was recently shown to be insignificant, with roughly one in three having used a DS in the previous two weeks [ 12 ]; yet, a recent Greek study showed that ~35% and ~20% of its participants had shifted towards healthier nutrition and started/increased their DS consumption in order to enhance their immune system, respectively [ 13 ]. However, besides these two recent Greek studies, to our knowledge only two other studies have examined the usage of DS in Greece; namely, the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study, which found a usage rate of 2% for men and 6.7% in women (24 h prior) between 1995 and 2000 [ 14 ].…”

Use of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Among the population-based survey studies, thirty-one were conducted through online surveys only ( 17 , 18 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 28 – 31 , 35 , 42 , 43 , 45 , 48 – 54 , 57 – 62 , 66 , 68 , 74 ), one was an in-person interview ( 56 ), three were telephone interviews ( 10 , 21 , 38 ), and two were both in-person and online surveys ( 19 , 36 ). Among the included studies, usage status of the interventions, including TCM ( n = 22) ( 27 , 32 – 34 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 44 , 47 , 55 , 63 – 65 , 67 , 69 – 73 , 75 – 77 ), functional food (supplements) or herbs ( n = 20) ( 17 – 24 , 29 , 36 , 38 , 43 , 49 – 52 , 57 – 59 ), mind-body practice or spiritual practice ( n = 9) ( 28 , 35 , 42 , 45 , 48 , 54 , 60 , 61 , 74 ), Ayurveda ( n = 2) ( 10 , 41 ), homeopathy ( n = 1) ( ...…”

“…Most of the data for surveys or patient chart reviews were collected during 2020. In approximately half of the studies, TCIM interventions were used for prophylactic purposes ( n = 28) ( 17 – 20 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 28 , 31 , 35 , 36 , 38 , 41 , 42 , 45 , 48 – 54 , 59 , 61 , 62 , 66 , 74 ), and the other half were used for therapeutic purposes ( n = 27) ( 21 , 24 , 27 , 32 – 34 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 44 , 46 , 47 , 55 , 58 , 63 – 65 , 67 , 69 – 73 , 75 – 77 ) ( Table 1 ).…”

Changes in Dietary Patterns and Clinical Health Outcomes in Different Countries during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

“…Nearly one in three of 2258 participants reported that they changed their dietary habits during the pandemic towards a healthier diet rich in fruits, vegetables, salads, green vegetables, cereals, legumes, and olive oil, and consumed less meat, especially processed meat [ 110 ]. Similarly, another study of 741 individuals report a prudent dietary pattern containing of fruits, vegetables, fish, and rice [ 111 ].…”