Eating habits and physical activity before and during the health emergency due to COVID-19 in Quito – Ecuador

Abstract

COVID-19 has managed to paralyze the world for months, this paralysis has caused great changes in the habits, customs and routines of all people. Although science is directed to getting a vaccine to return to normality, these changes may remain in the population. For this reason, it is essential to identify them and observe what has improved or worsened. The IPAQ questionnaire ( international physical activity questionnaire ) was used to analyze physical activity and regarding food consumption a questionnaire on eating habits. These were applied in a representative sample of adults between 18 and 65 years old in the city of Quito (n: 1022) to collect information before and during the forced quarantine in the city. These data were analyzed and compared along with daily routines and demographic variables of age, education and income. Our working hypothesis was that enforced quarantine would have a significant impact on daily activities, including waking time, mealtimes, physical activity, and eating habits. Waking time went from 5-6 to 8-9 in the morning and the breakfast and lunch times changed. The physical activity of the entire population decreased while men proved to be more active than women before and during the health emergency. Our findings suggested that eating habits improved overall during the quarantine period; however, we found that a higher percentage of women reported very healthy eating habits compared to men. People from 18 to 41 years old, with a university education, regardless of their income, decreased their physical activity during quarantine, people with incomes of up to $ 400 per month changed their eating habits to unhealthy since the emergency began. The population in the city of Quito varied their daily routine of physical activity and their eating habits, this suggests that it should be analyzed what measures should be implemented to continue with what has been improved and change what has worsened, and thus avoid public health problems in the future.

Lockdown Due to COVID-19 and Its Consequences on Diet, Physical Activity, Lifestyle, and Other Aspects of Daily Life Worldwide: A Narrative Review

“…Interestingly, the population improved to a certain extent their eating habits. At the same time, it was observed that unhealthy habits were reduced [ 141 ].…”

Economic factors influencing the health behavior changes during COVID-19 pandemic: multiple correspondence analysis results

“…In Brazil, the physical activity level adopted during the period of social distancing was lower than that adopted before the pandemic period [32]. In the city of Quito (Ecuador) people from 18 to 41 years old, with a university education, regardless of their income, decreased their physical activity during quarantine, people with incomes of up to $ 400 per month changed their eating habits to unhealthy since the emergency began [33].…”

Health and Nutrition Analysis in Older Adults in San José de Minas Rural Parish in Quito, Ecuador

“…The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to analyze physical activity. The reliability and validity of this instrument have been proven in different national and regional studies worldwide, and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends its use in the measurement of physical activity in epidemiological surveillance at the population level [ 14 ]. This questionnaire consists of questions about physical habits; the answers are tabulated with the number of minutes, hours, or days of physical activity.…”

“…Question 7 is a reference to the time the respondent spends sitting and is not used in the calculation. A score of 1500 to 3000 MET or more signifies AFA, 600 to 1500 MET signifies AFM, and less than 600 MET signifies AFB [ 14 , 15 ].…”