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

Overview

Journal Foods

Specialty Biotechnology

Date 2022 Jul 27

PMID 35885238

Authors

Maria Kyprianidou

Stavri Chrysostomou

Costas A Christophi

Konstantinos Giannakou

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: People’s dietary and lifestyle habits appeared to be influenced by restrictive measures imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines the differences in dietary and lifestyle habits during and after the lockdown measures in Cyprus. Methods: Two online cross-sectional surveys were conducted, using a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire to collect information on sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, smoking habits, physical activity, and dietary habits. The first survey was conducted between 6 April 2020 and 20 June 2020 (during national lockdown) while the second survey was conducted between 27 October 2021 and 20 January 2022 (post-lockdown). Results: A total of 2503 individuals participated in the study. A higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes/pulses, fish, and poultry was identified during lockdown compared to the period after the lockdown. Moreover, a greater daily intake of olive oil and a lower consumption of alcohol was found during the confinement period compared to the post-confinement period. During lockdown, most participants (43.0%) never or rarely used delivery services, while the largest proportion of the participants after lockdown used delivery services 1−3 times per month (37.0%) (p < 0.001). During lockdown, around 66% of the participants were physically active, compared to 55.5% after lockdown (p < 0.001). Furthermore, when compared to those with a normal BMI, more overweight and obese respondents ordered food 1−2 times per week in both periods (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Dietary and lifestyle habits of the participants were healthier throughout the lockdown period than after the end of the restrictive measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is critical to encourage the Cypriot population to maintain the healthy dietary and lifestyle habits established during the lockdown in their daily lives after the confinement.

Citing Articles

Lifestyle Habits and Nutritional Profile of the Spanish Population: A Comparison Between the Period During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Sandri E, Werner L, Bernalte Marti V Foods. 2024; 13(23).

PMID: 39683034 PMC: 11640648. DOI: 10.3390/foods13233962.

Socioeconomic differences in dietary habits in Italy before and during COVID-19 pandemic: secondary analysis of a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Dolcini J, Ponzio E, DErrico M, Barbadoro P BMC Public Health. 2024; 24(1):153.

PMID: 38200456 PMC: 10782767. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17530-6.

Association between Dietary Habits, Food Attitudes, and Food Security Status of US Adults since March 2020: A Cross-Sectional Online Study.

Bin Zarah A, Schneider S, Andrade J Nutrients. 2022; 14(21).

PMID: 36364896 PMC: 9658187. DOI: 10.3390/nu14214636.

References

Richards J, Stipelman B, Bornovalova M, Daughters S, Sinha R, Lejuez C . Biological mechanisms underlying the relationship between stress and smoking: state of the science and directions for future work. Biol Psychol. 2011; 88(1):1-12. PMC: 3171592. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2011.06.009. View

Twyman L, Bonevski B, Paul C, Bryant J . Perceived barriers to smoking cessation in selected vulnerable groups: a systematic review of the qualitative and quantitative literature. BMJ Open. 2014; 4(12):e006414. PMC: 4275698. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006414. View

Bakaloudi D, Jeyakumar D, Jayawardena R, Chourdakis M . The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on snacking habits, fast-food and alcohol consumption: A systematic review of the evidence. Clin Nutr. 2021; 41(12):3038-3045. PMC: 8052604. DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2021.04.020. View

Al Ghadban Y, Zgheib N, Romani M, Akl I, Nasr R . Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on smoking behavior and beliefs among the American University of Beirut community. Tob Prev Cessat. 2022; 8:02. PMC: 8785139. DOI: 10.18332/tpc/144499. View

Hammouri H, Almomani F, Abdel Muhsen R, Abughazzi A, Daghmash R, Abudayah A . Lifestyle Variations during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study of Diet, Physical Activities, and Weight Gain among the Jordanian Adult Population. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(3). PMC: 8834702. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031346. View

Hallal P, Andersen L, Bull F, Guthold R, Haskell W, Ekelund U . Global physical activity levels: surveillance progress, pitfalls, and prospects. Lancet. 2012; 380(9838):247-57. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60646-1. View

Laguna L, Fiszman S, Puerta P, Chaya C, Tarrega A . The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on food priorities. Results from a preliminary study using social media and an online survey with Spanish consumers. Food Qual Prefer. 2020; 86:104028. PMC: 7358165. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2020.104028. View

Pfeifer D, Resetar J, Gajdos Kljusuric J, Panjkota Krbavcic I, Bender D, Rodriguez-Perez C . Cooking at Home and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet During the COVID-19 Confinement: The Experience From the Croatian COVIDiet Study. Front Nutr. 2021; 8:617721. PMC: 8044460. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.617721. View

Alam Shaun M, Rahman Nizum M, Munny S, Fayeza F, Mali S, Abid M . Eating habits and lifestyle changes among higher studies students post-lockdown in Bangladesh: A web-based cross-sectional study. Heliyon. 2021; 7(8):e07843. PMC: 8383058. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07843. View

10.

Cicero A, Fogacci F, Giovannini M, Mezzadri M, Grandi E, Borghi C . COVID-19-Related Quarantine Effect on Dietary Habits in a Northern Italian Rural Population: Data from the Brisighella Heart Study. Nutrients. 2021; 13(2). PMC: 7911934. DOI: 10.3390/nu13020309. View

11.

Alvarez-Gomez C, De La Higuera M, Rivas-Garcia L, Diaz-Castro J, Moreno-Fernandez J, Lopez-Frias M . Has COVID-19 Changed the Lifestyle and Dietary Habits in the Spanish Population after Confinement?. Foods. 2021; 10(10). PMC: 8535706. DOI: 10.3390/foods10102443. View

12.

Robinson E, Boyland E, Chisholm A, Harrold J, Maloney N, Marty L . Obesity, eating behavior and physical activity during COVID-19 lockdown: A study of UK adults. Appetite. 2020; 156:104853. PMC: 7540284. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2020.104853. View

13.

Perez-Rodrigo C, Gianzo Citores M, Hervas Barbara G, Ruiz-Litago F, Casis Saenz L, Arija V . Patterns of Change in Dietary Habits and Physical Activity during Lockdown in Spain Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Nutrients. 2021; 13(2). PMC: 7911477. DOI: 10.3390/nu13020300. View

14.

Amatriain-Fernandez S, Murillo-Rodriguez E, Gronwald T, Machado S, Budde H . Benefits of physical activity and physical exercise in the time of pandemic. Psychol Trauma. 2020; 12(S1):S264-S266. DOI: 10.1037/tra0000643. View

15.

Batlle-Bayer L, Aldaco R, Bala A, Puig R, Laso J, Margallo M . Environmental and nutritional impacts of dietary changes in Spain during the COVID-19 lockdown. Sci Total Environ. 2020; 748:141410. PMC: 7395635. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141410. View

16.

Martinez E, Silva F, Morigi T, Zucoloto M, Silva T, Joaquim A . Physical activity in periods of social distancing due to COVID-19: a cross-sectional survey. Cien Saude Colet. 2020; 25(suppl 2):4157-4168. DOI: 10.1590/1413-812320202510.2.27242020. View

17.

Bennett G, Young E, Butler I, Coe S . The Impact of Lockdown During the COVID-19 Outbreak on Dietary Habits in Various Population Groups: A Scoping Review. Front Nutr. 2021; 8:626432. PMC: 7969646. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.626432. View

18.

Galali Y . The impact of COVID-19 confinement on the eating habits and lifestyle changes: A cross sectional study. Food Sci Nutr. 2021; 9(4):2105-2113. PMC: 8014478. DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.2179. View

19.

Bae M, Kim H . Mini-Review on the Roles of Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Selenium in the Immune System against COVID-19. Molecules. 2020; 25(22). PMC: 7696052. DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225346. View

20.

AlHusseini N, Alqahtani A . COVID-19 pandemic's impact on eating habits in Saudi Arabia. J Public Health Res. 2020; 9(3):1868. PMC: 7512943. DOI: 10.4081/jphr.2020.1868. View