A Rapid Review on the Influence of COVID-19 Lockdown and Quarantine Measures on Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the General Population

Abstract

Preceding coronavirus outbreaks resulted in social isolation, which in turn is associated with cardiovascular consequences. Whether the current COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacts cardiovascular health is unclear. The aim of the rapid review was to investigate, whether COVID-19 lockdown influences modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (i.e., physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour, smoking, alcohol use, unhealthy diet, obesity, bad blood lipids, and hypertension) in the general population. Medline and EMBASE were searched until March 2021. Title, abstracts, and full texts were screened by one reviewer and 20% by a second reviewer. Only studies using probability sampling were included in order to ensure the representativeness of the target population. Data extraction and critical appraisal were done by one reviewer and double-checked by another reviewer. We identified 32 studies that fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Findings show that physical activity decreased, and sedentary behaviour increased among all age groups during the COVID-19 lockdown. Among adults, alcohol consumption increased, dietary quality worsened, and the amount of food intake increased. Some adults reported weight gain. Studies on children and adolescents were sparse. This rapid review found a high number of epidemiological studies on the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, but only a few used probability sampling methods.

Living conditions, lifestyle habits and health among adults before and after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Sweden - results from a cross-sectional population-based study

“…Those in the deteriorating mental health group were more likely to be women, younger, without a partner, and have a previous mental illness [ 33 ]. The review of Freiberg et al [ 30 ] reported, in turn, that physical activity decreased whereas sedentary behavior and alcohol consumption increased during the COVD-19 lockdown. But even though only studies using probability sampling were included in the review there were methodological shortcomings in many of these studies [ 30 ].…”

“…The review of Freiberg et al [ 30 ] reported, in turn, that physical activity decreased whereas sedentary behavior and alcohol consumption increased during the COVD-19 lockdown. But even though only studies using probability sampling were included in the review there were methodological shortcomings in many of these studies [ 30 ]. The only direct consequence of the pandemic in the present study seems to have been a rise in the proportion who worry about losing their job.…”

“…However, these were usually conducted only after the outbreak of the pandemic and based on questionnaires distributed via social media, leading to self-selection, and have therefore probably exaggerated the effects of the pandemic [ 28 ]. Since then, many more studies have been published, including a review on the mental health effects of the pandemic [ 29 ] and a rapid review on the cardiovascular risk factors [ 30 ]. Neither of these reviews included, however, studies from Sweden.…”

“…Neither of these reviews included, however, studies from Sweden. In addition, as Freiberg et al [ 30 ] indicated, there is a high number of epidemiological studies on the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, but only a few have used probability sampling methods. Epidemiologically robust methods, such as population studies based on random population sampling and the use of exactly the same questions before and after the outbreak of the pandemic are therefore of great value.…”

Trajectories and Determinants of Physical Activity during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Population-Based Study of Middle-Aged and Elderly Individuals in The Netherlands

“…To curb the pandemic, several regional and national governments responded by encouraging people to stay at home and keep distance from each other. Due to these restrictive measures many health behaviors may have changed, among which physical activity levels [1].…”