Does COVID-19 change dietary habits and lifestyle behaviours in Kuwait: a community-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background The coronavirus pandemic has transformed and continues to transform and affect the daily lives of communities worldwide, particularly due to the lockdown restrictions. Therefore, this study was designed to understand the changes in dietary and lifestyle behaviours that are major determinants of health during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online questionnaire using a convenience sample of 415 adults living in Kuwait (age range 18–73 years). Results The rate of skipping breakfast remained consistent, with a slight increase during the pandemic. Lunch remained the main reported meal before and during COVID-19. Compared to before COVID-19, people were much more likely have a late-night snack or meal during COVID-19 (OR = 3.57 (95% CI 1.79–7.26), p < 0.001). Moreover, there was a drastic decrease in the frequency of fast-food consumption during COVID-19, up to 82% reported not consuming fast food (p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in the percentage of participants who had their main meal freshly made (OR = 59.18 (95% CI 6.55–1400.76), p = 0.001). Regarding food group patterns, no significant differences were found before and during the pandemic in terms of the weekly frequency of consumption, except in the case of fish and seafood. There were no remarkable changes in beverage consumption habits among participants before and during the pandemic, except for Americano coffee and fresh juice. Furthermore, there was a great reduction in physical activity and an increase in the amount of screen time and sedentary behaviours. A notable increase was detected in day-time sleep and a decrease in night-time sleep among participants. Conclusion In general, this study indicates some changes in daily life, including changes in some eating practices, physical activity and sleeping habits during the pandemic. It is important that the government considers the need for nutrition education programmes and campaigns, particularly during this critical period of the pandemic in Kuwait.

Have Lifestyle Habits and Psychological Well-Being Changed among Adolescents and Medical Students Due to COVID-19 Lockdown in Croatia?

“…In addition, it was also reported that fast food intake was reduced [ 19 ]. Another study confirmed a drastic decrease of fast-food frequency consumption during COVID-19, with up to 82% adults reporting no fast food consumption [ 18 ]. There was also a significant increase in the percentage of participants who home cooked their main meal, but without differences in consumption of fruit and vegetables [ 18 ].…”

“…Another study confirmed a drastic decrease of fast-food frequency consumption during COVID-19, with up to 82% adults reporting no fast food consumption [ 18 ]. There was also a significant increase in the percentage of participants who home cooked their main meal, but without differences in consumption of fruit and vegetables [ 18 ]. We described a positive change in dietary pattern, with 20–38% of students recording an increased intake of fruit and vegetables during lockdown, nevertheless similar percentage of students reported an increased intake of sweets and snacks.…”

“…As of recently, more studies have been published on COVID-19 lockdown effects on dietary habits, as well as on other lifestyle behaviors [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 17 , 18 ]. However, most of the previous studies focused on adult population, and only few studies have been published so far about COVID-19 lockdown influence on lifestyle change in adolescents [ 19 , 20 , 21 ] and in medical students [ 22 , 23 ].…”

Poor Sleep during the First Peak of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In China, Wang and colleagues found that 75% of 2289 individuals isolated at home rated their sleep as very good [ 11 ], but a smaller prospective study found that 37% of a sample of young Chinese adults reported a worsening of their sleep quality during the pandemic [ 12 ]. Studies conducted in other countries have demonstrated that lockdown could either lead to an increase in the amount of time spent in bed [ 13 , 14 ], with good sleep efficiency [ 13 ] or associated with sleep disorders [ 15 , 16 ] and disruption of one’s habitual circadian rhythm [ 14 ]. This topic has also been investigated in Europe, where 55% of Spanish adults changed their sleep pattern after the beginning of the lockdown [ 17 ], and individuals who were physically active prior to the SARS-CoV-2 spread reported major sleep problems [ 18 ].…”

The Relationship between Cognitive Function, Lifestyle Behaviours and Perception of Stress during the COVID-19 Induced Confinement: Insights from Correlational and Mediation Analyses

“…On the other hand, Di Renzo [ 8 ] found improved dietary habits during the COVID-19-induced restrictions: a sample of 3533 Italian participants aged 12–86 years, 76.1% of which were females, tended to adhere to the Mediterranean diet, especially those between 18 and 30 years of age, with an increased uptake of organic foods, including fruits and vegetables. According to a study conducted in Kuwait, in a sample of 415 participants aged 18–73 years, changes in eating practices could be reported, including reduced consumption of fast-food and junk food, and increased ingestion of fresh, healthy food, such as fish and seafood [ 9 ]. During confinement, people have greater access to food because they work and live in closer proximity to their homes and kitchens.…”