Lifestyle and Sociodemographic Parameters Associated with Mental and Physical Health during COVID-19 Confinement in Three Ibero-American Countries. A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the association between the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with sociodemographic parameters and lifestyle during COVID-19 confinement in Mexico, Chile, and Spain. Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study, with 742 observations of online surveys in 422, 190, and 130 individuals from Mexico, Chile, and Spain, respectively. Sociodemographic data, presence of comorbidities, food habits, and physical activity (PA) patterns were evaluated. The HRQoL was evaluated according to the SF-36 Health Survey. The multilinear regression analysis was developed to determine the association of variables with HRQoL and its physical and mental health dimensions. Results: The female sex in the three countries reported negative association with HRQoL (Mexico: β −4.45, p = 0.004; Chile: β −8.48, p <0.001; Spain: β −6.22, p = 0.009). Similarly, bad eating habits were associated negatively with HRQoL (Mexico: β −6.64, p <0.001; Chile: β −6.66, p = 0.005; Spain: β −5.8, p = 0.032). In Mexico, PA limitations presented a negative association with HRQoL (β −4.71, p = 0.011). In Chile, a sedentary lifestyle (h/day) was linked negatively with HRQoL (β −0.64, p = 0.005). In Spain, the highest associations with HRQoL were the presence of comorbidity (β −11.03, p <0.001) and smoking (β −6.72, p = 0.02). Moreover, the PA limitation in Mexico (β −5.67, p = 0.023) and Chile (β −9.26, p = 0.035) was linked negatively with mental health. Conclusions: The bad eating habits, PA limitations, female sex, comorbidity presence, and smoking were parameters linked negatively with HRQoL.

Analytical study of the relationship between lifestyle and biological, mental, and social health during the corona in selected countries

“…This condition may affect mental and physical health. These results are consistent with the results of (Gutierrez Perez et al, 2021), in which the female in the three countries was negatively associated with health-related quality of life (157). In addition, other factors such as increasing the workload of children's schoolwork while caring for the family and caring for the family can be effective.…”

“…In three countries (Mexico, Chile, and Spain), the female was negatively related to health-related quality of life in terms of mental and physical health (157). Similarly, in Austria, symptoms of depression and anxiety during an epidemic made the quarantine stressful for adults under 35 and especially for females (158).…”

“…Gutierrez Perez et al (2021) showed that physical activity limitations were associated with poor mental health. In addition, low emotional scores on vitality and role were prevalent in Mexico and Chile and countries at a more limited level at sampling (157). A recent study has shown that isolation at home during Covid-19 can have different health behaviors, whereas participation in physical activity during quarantine is related to better well-being and sleep quality in the Chinese population (163).…”

“…Ingram et al (175) showed that limitations during quarantine are related to poorer psychological well-being. In addition, Gutierrez Perez et al, 2021 concluded that a weaker diet was related to a more negative mood (157). Another study found that positive effects on health-related quality of life are seen during Covid-19 quarantine when people eat at home and focus more on their food and nutrition quality (163 ).…”

“…A study in China reported that physical inactivity and unhealthy eating habits, such as eating fewer vegetables, less fruit, and skipping breakfast, were related to lower mental well-being (177). Gutierrez Perez et al (2021) showed that in Spain, comorbidities and smoking are inversely related to the quality of life-related to physical and mental health (157). During the Covid-19 quarantine, a significant reduction in moderate-intensity health-related quality of life was observed in Spain in men and women with chronic diseases (178).…”