Did COVID-19 Pandemic Change People’s Physical Activity Distribution, Eating, and Alcohol Consumption Habits as well as Body Mass Index?

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate whether COVID-19 had an impact on people’s (aged 18–74) physical activity distribution, eating, and alcohol consumption habits as well as body mass index. We interviewed 6369 people (4545 women and 1824 men) in Lithuania before the COVID-19 pandemic started and 2392 during COVID-19 (1856 women and 536 men). They were aged 18–74 years. We found that both genders had not stopped their physical activity (PA) completely because of lockdown imitations (for example, prohibition from attending sport clubs), but they started doing different physical exercises at sport clubs. We determined the PA distribution according to the Danish Physical Activity Questionnaire (DPAQ). Despite increases in independent PA and the quantity of light PA, the amount of total energy used in metabolic equivalent of task (MET) units per day decreased significantly for both genders irrespective of age. Although the amounts of sedentary behavior, moderate PA (MPA), vigorous PA (VPA) or a combination of MPA and VPA (MVPA) did not change significantly. Surprisingly, lockdown reduced the duration of sleep for older women but increased their amount of intense VPA (>6 METs). However, the amount of intense VPA decreased for men. Both genders reported overeating less during the pandemic than before it, but did not start consuming more alcohol, and their body mass index did not change. Thus, the COVID-19 in Lithuania represented ‘good stress’ that mobilized these individuals to exercise more independently and overeat less.

What Types of Exercise Are Best for Emotional Intelligence and Logical Thinking?

“…There is an increasing amount of evidence-based research showing that various forms and doses of physical activity (PA) or exercise are effective in combating many chronic diseases [ 1 , 2 ] and improving well-being and mental health [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. The health benefits of PA are influenced by age, sex, health, and body mass index (BMI) [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Studies have also shown that the effects of PA or exercise on the body are specific; that is, they are affected by the intensity, duration, type of muscle contraction, motor control, and other factors [ 14 , 15 ].…”

Do Physical Activity, BMI, and Wellbeing Affect Logical Thinking?

“…For example, low PA promotes obesity, which in turn reduces motivation to perform PA [ 14 ] and encourages more frequent overeating because people cannot control their appetite [ 15 ]. Studies have shown that even during the COVID-19 pandemic, moderate PA (MPA), vigorous PA (VPA), or a combination of MPA and VPA (MVPA) did not change significantly, men and women reported eating less excessively than before, did not start consuming more alcohol, and their body mass index did not change [ 16 ].…”

Association between Body Mass Index Structure and Physical Activity, Sleep, Sedentary Behavior, Health, Stress, Emotional Intelligence, and Healthy Eating: A Study of 8,759 People in Lithuania

“…Growing evidence-based research indicates that various forms and amounts of physical activity (PA) are effective in combating many chronic diseases [1,2], improving well-being and mental health [3][4][5][6][7][8][9], and reducing all-cause mortality [10]. The effect of PA on various body functions is rather speci c; i.e., it depends on the nonlinear manner of muscle work intensity, duration, and load "doses" [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]2].…”

“…The effect of PA on various body functions is rather speci c; i.e., it depends on the nonlinear manner of muscle work intensity, duration, and load "doses" [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]2]. In addition, the health bene ts of PA also depend on the individual's age, gender, health, and BMI [18, 10,5,19,2,6,7].…”