The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity Among Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Hamed, A.; Javaid, Haroon A; Abbasi, Safwan; Amanullah, Ahsan; Ramadan, Majed; Shakir, Ismail; Alhusseini, Noara

doi:10.7759/cureus.26586

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Similarly, a survey study in the MENA region showed that 48% of participants did not take part in physical activity prior to the onset of COVID and that there was a 42% increase in the number of participants that seized practicing sports during lockdown (Abouzid et al, 2021). Additionally, a study in Saudi Arabia reported that the percentage of active individuals declined from 54.3 to 47.3% during confinement (Hamed et al, 2022). Global data also showed similar trends with the UK reporting that 45% of the surveyed participants increased their exercising habits during lockdown whereas 40% decreased their activity level (Laddu et al, 2023).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 restrictions on health and well-being in the United Arab Emirates

Dalibalta,

Ghader,

Rabah

et al. 2023

Front. Psychol.

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BackgroundRestrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic are thought to have impacted both the physical health and well-being of individuals where lockdown was applied. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was one of the leading countries in implementing the international guidelines to limit the intensely contagious nature of the outbreak.AimTo identify the impact of COVID-19 on changes to exercise and general physical activity habits, changes to the consumption of various foods and potential weight gain, as well as any differences in smoking habits among individuals residing in the UAE during the COVID-19 quarantine.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional analytical study that used a quantitative electronic questionnaire sent by the Ministry of Health and Prevention to individuals on its platform in order to collect data on the physical health and well-being of a UAE sample population. A total of 2,362 responses were received to specific questions on physical activity, eating habits, and tobacco use for the period before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdown. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to display the sample’s demographic data and the changes in physical health and well-being. Paired t-test was used to show the changes in dietary habits.ResultsThis study reveals concerning changes in health risk behaviors during the COVID-19 lockdown in the UAE. Physical activity levels declined across mild, moderate and vigorous ranges in most participants. Alarmingly, sedentary behavior dramatically increased with 71% of participants spending an average of 4–8 h per day sitting and over 54% of participants spending more than 4 h watching TV on an average day during lockdown. Fast-food consumption and snacking rose, hence weight gain was observed in over 53% of participants. Smoking habits, especially among cigarette smokers, may have worsened, with 45.2% reporting an increase in cigarette smoking, 16.8% declaring an increase in shisha smoking and 35.3% reporting an increase in smoking other tobacco products. These unfavorable behaviors during confinement could have serious long-term health consequences.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that long periods of home quarantine may have led to unhealthy consequences that increase the risk of developing disease. This study therefore aims to highlight these health impacts, and recommend strategies and policies that can encourage healthy habits.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 restrictions on health and well-being in the United Arab Emirates

Dalibalta,

Ghader,

Rabah

et al. 2023

Front. Psychol.

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“…Similarly, Park et al [ 32 ] conducted a review study including studies in different world regions and demonstrated a substantial correlation between COVID-19 and increases in sedentary behavior and decreases in walking, mobility, and PA. A few studies also revealed conflicting findings, such as an increase in the use of parks and trails and a rise in recreational activities among particular demographic groups. In Saudi Arabia, Hamed et al [ 33 ] conducted a study with no statistically significant difference between pre- and post-COVID-19 respondents in terms of PA. The estimated higher PA among the current study participants may be due to more female participants who had the time, and most of them were unemployed, which means their lifestyle was nearly unaffected by maintaining their traditional PA patterns.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Quarantine on Physical Activity, Body Weight, and Eating Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia

Alsaqqa,

Alasmari,

Altalhi

et al. 2024

Cureus

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Background Since February 2020, the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Saudi Arabia has been rising. The Saudi Arabian government implemented strict lockdown measures in March 2020 in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. Globally, changes in socioeconomic levels and health during quarantine have been reported. Additional detrimental effects of the stay-at-home mandate include less physical activity among adult populations, anxiety, stress, and emotional eating. This study aimed to assess the impact of quarantine during the COVID‑19 pandemic on physical activity practice and weight. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted using a newly developed validated online questionnaire survey. The data were collected during quarantine in June 2020, including each adult who lived in Saudi Arabia during the quarantine. The data were reviewed and analyzed using SPSS version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results A total of 4,970 eligible participants completed the study survey. About 78.1% of the study participants performed physical activity inside the house during the pandemic. Overall, 30.9% reported increased body weight during the lockdown, and the most reported cause of increased body weight was feeling bored and empty. Regarding factors associated with physical activity and weight changes, 82.2% of participants aged 25-30 years performed physical activity during the pandemic. Increased weight was significantly higher among participants aged more than 30 years. Conclusions This study shows an increased level of physical activity among the study participants during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among younger, female, and unmarried participants. More than half of the participants reported weight change, either weight gain or weight loss. Weight gain was higher in older participants. Regarding eating habits, there was an increased tendency toward eating a healthy diet.

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“…People in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic reported toothaches, mucosal problems, and hypersensitivity, myofascial pain. 21 The most delayed treatment was orthodontic treatment and toothache was the most common problem faced by people. 22 During the pandemic, people tried to take better care of their oral hygiene and use boiled water (33.9%), tried desi nuskas (29.3%), gargle with mouthwashes (21.1%), and brushed their teeth thrice a day 16.7%).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Knowledge of Oral Hygiene Practices during Pandemic and its Post-COVID-19 Impact: A Survey-Based Study

Chawla,

Arif,

Jain

et al. 2024

J. Young Pharm.

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Objectives:The main objective of the study was to assess Knowledge of oral hygiene practices during the pandemic and its post-COVID-19 impact among the community of Delhi and NCR region. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among the local population of Delhi and NCR during April and May of 2022. Links to the survey were sent by email and several social media platforms, including WhatsApp. Before answering any questions on the questionnaire, participants were asked to read the study's information and provide their informed permission. Results: A total of 516 people did the survey and their responses were included in data analysis. 78 (15.12) agreed and 379 (73.455) said no access and 59(11.43%) said not always with a p-value˂0.05. 464 (89.92%) agreed that they experienced anxiety and fear during COVID-19 related to their oral hygiene whereas 52 (10.08%) did not, with p-value˂0.05. 406 (76.68%) agreed on receiving guidance and recommendations from a dental or a health professional to maintain or improve oral health during COVID-19 whereas 110 (21.32%) disagreed with p-value˂0.05. Conclusion: Teledentistry was merely used; its use must be encouraged to provide online services to patients in such a pandemic situation. Yet people tried to change their oral hygiene habits and diet to improve their oral health.

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity Among Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Cited by 6 publications

References 28 publications

Impact of COVID-19 restrictions on health and well-being in the United Arab Emirates

Impact of COVID-19 restrictions on health and well-being in the United Arab Emirates

The Impact of Quarantine on Physical Activity, Body Weight, and Eating Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia

Assessment of Knowledge of Oral Hygiene Practices during Pandemic and its Post-COVID-19 Impact: A Survey-Based Study

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