The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors and Perceived Mental and Physical Health of People Living with Non-Communicable Diseases: An International Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

The huge burden and vulnerability imposed by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how healthy lifestyle behaviors and the well-being of people living with NCDs need to be prioritized. The aim of our study is to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthy lifestyle behaviors and perceived mental and physical health among adults living with NCDs, as compared to people without NCDs. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a global online survey through Qualtrics. Over four months, 3550 participants from 65 countries worldwide responded to the survey. The study included 3079 surveys with no missing data (complete survey responses) that were used for analysis. People with NCDs were more likely to report statistically significant worsening physical health (p = 0.001) and statistically insignificant worsening mental health (p = 0.354) when compared to pre-pandemic levels. They reported lower rates of smoking during the pandemic than those without NCDs, and a statistically significant (p < 0.001) relationship was found between weight gain and NCDs. Therefore, the perceived physical and mental health, including changes in body weight and tobacco consumption, of people with NCDs were significantly impacted during the pandemic. In conclusion, this study indicates that the pandemic had a significant impact on perceived physical and mental health, changes in body weight, and tobacco consumption among people with NCDs.

Study Protocol of “Sustainably Healthy—From Science 2 Highschool & University”—Prevalence of Mixed, Vegetarian, and Vegan Diets Linked to Sports & Exercise among Austrian Tertiary Students and Lecturers/Academic Staff

“…Opportunities to follow health behaviors may be partially influenced by limiting factors that are beyond the individual’s control and intention. For example, the current COVID-19 pandemic and the associated social problems (including social lockdowns) have considerably limited healthy behaviors such as PA opportunities [ 92 , 154 ]. It has been reported that the diminished access to fresh foods during this pandemic has resulted in an increased consumption of highly processed foods, which are typically high in salt, sugar, and saturated fat [ 155 ].…”

“…It has been reported that the diminished access to fresh foods during this pandemic has resulted in an increased consumption of highly processed foods, which are typically high in salt, sugar, and saturated fat [ 155 ]. An Austrian study showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, about half of Austrian adults have successfully maintained their health-oriented lifestyles (54%) or healthy diets (47%), with significant sex- and age-specific differences (the predominance of females over males and young over older generations) [ 154 ]. In this regard, two-thirds of Austrian young people and adults (over 14 years old) were reported to be physically active at least once a week [ 53 ].…”

Awareness, Perceived Risk, and Protective Behavior Towards Covid-19 Among Undergraduate Students of Delhi and NCR, India

“…For the detection of the virus, the standard test is to be conducted in a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) from a nasopharyngeal swab and chest X-rays for pneumonia [11][12][13]. Pandemic also affected the physical and mental health of people suffering with non-communicable diseases, made their life more miserable [14]. Self-isolation, social distancing, wearing of a mask, and vaccination can prevent the infection.…”

Factors Influencing Use of Fitness Apps by Adults under Influence of COVID-19

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has hugely impacted people’s ways of living, intellectual health, and quality of life worldwide [ 1 ]. The imposition of lockdown and quarantine measures on populations has been used to restrict the spread of COVID-19, but such measures have also had many serious consequences [ 2 ].…”