Impact of the COVID-19 Epidemic on Lifestyle Behaviors and Their Association With Subjective Well-Being Among the General Population in Mainland China: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND The world is experiencing an extraordinary, life-altering challenge due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is unclear whether the lifestyle will change under the situations of COVID-19 epidemic. OBJECTIVE To explore perceived lifestyle changes, after the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, and their association with subjective wellbeing (SWB) among the general population in the Mainland China. METHODS An online survey was conducted through a media platform in May 2020. Lifestyle behaviors including leisure-time physical exercise, leisure-time screen time and dietary intake were self-reported. SWB was measured using the General Wellbeing Schedule (GWS). Other covariates including socio-demographic factors, self-rate physical health, perceived social support and loneliness were also assessed by a structured questionnaire. Multivariate ordinal regression method was used to analyze the association between SWB and lifestyle behaviors as well as perceived lifestyle changes. RESULTS A total of 1,033 participants aged between 18 and 60 were included in this study. The mean GWS score was 71.712.5 points. In many cases, more than half of participants reported no perceived lifestyle changes. About 70% of the respondents reported spending more time on screen, whereas about 30% reported an increased frequency of vegetable and fruits intake after the outbreak of COVID-19. Physical inactivity (odds ratio(OR) =1.16,95% confidence interval(CI):1.02-1.48), infrequent vegetable intake (OR=1.45,95%CI: 1.10-1.90), infrequent fruits intake (OR=1.31,95%CI: 1.01-1.70) and often skipping breakfast (OR=1.43, 95%CI: 1.08-1.91) were associated with lower SWB after adjusting for socio-demographic factors, self-rate physical health, perceived social support and loneliness. Moreover, participants who perceived a decrease in the frequency of vegetable, fruits and breakfast intake were more likely to report lower SWB. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic may have positive or negative impact on some aspects of lifestyle behaviors. Both unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and negative lifestyle changes were associated with lower SWB. Therefore, these findings provide scientific information for the lifestyle guidelines in the management of COVID-19 as well as for the public mental health interventions. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable

Digital screen time during COVID-19 pandemic: A public health concern

“…Similarly, Górnicka found that 43% of respondents had a reduction in physical activity, and 34% had increased food consumption in a sample where 49% of individuals reported an increased screen time (Górnicka et al, 2020). A study from China assessed the physical and psychosocial health impacts during the nationwide lockdown and found that more than half of Chinese adults had a sedentary lifestyle with inadequate physical activity, increased screen time, and poor emotional state (Hu et al, 2020). These studies suggest that a synergistic effect may exist between these co-occurring health behaviors, which can be prevalent among individuals affected by this pandemic.…”

“…A study of 254 Canadian families with young children reported an increase of screen time in mothers, fathers, and children during COVID-19 as 74%, 61%, and 87%, respectively (Carroll et al, 2020). Moreover, a study conducted in China found that about 70% of 1033 participants spent more time looking at screens after the COVID-19 outbreak (Hu et al, 2020). Another study used a longitudinal design to evaluate health behavior changes during COVID-19 and found a perceived increase in screen time among the participants (Keel et al, 2020).…”

“…Previous research shows screen time is associated with a wide range of noncommunicable diseases among the vulnerable individuals (Janssen et al, 2020;Kuss & Griffiths, 2012;Lanca & Saw, 2020;Wang, Li, & Fan, 2019). Recent empirical studies suggest a rapid increase of digital screen time in different populations during the COVID-19 pandemic (Carroll et al, 2020;Górnicka, Drywień, Zielinska, & Hamułka, 2020;Hu, Lin, Chiwanda Kaminga, & Xu, 2020;Keel et al, 2020). which necessitates a comprehensive understanding of potential public health impacts and how preventive strategies should be adopted addressing the same.…”

Reliability and validity of the hidden hunger assessment scale for Chinese high school students

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Efeito do exercício físico sobre as concentrações periféricas do fator neurotrófico derivado do cérebro (BDNF): uma revisão de literatura

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