Physical Activity Is Associated With Improved Eating Habits During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between physical activity and eating habits during the COVID-19 pandemic among Brazilian adults. A sample of 1,929 participants answered an online survey, however 1,874 were included in the analysis. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating habits was assessed inquiring about participants' intake of fruits, vegetables, fried foods, and sweets during the pandemic. Physical activity was assessed by asking participants about their weekly frequency, intensity and number of minutes/hours engaging in structured physical activities per week. Participants were then stratified into categories based on moderate-to-vigorous intensity (0–30; 31–90; 91–150; 151–300; and >300 min/week) and into active (≥150 min) or inactive (<150 min). Increased sweets consumption was the most commonly reported change to eating habits (42.5%), followed by an increase in the consumption of vegetables (26.6%), fruits (25.9%), and fried foods (17.9%). Physical activity practice was related to lower consumption of fried foods (OR = 0.60; p < 0.001) and sweets (OR = 0.53; p < 0.001). A cluster analysis revealed subjects with higher the level of physical activity was more likely to follow a healthy diet (p < 0.001). Thus, physical activity was positively associated with healthier eating habits. Health authorities must recommend regular physical as a strategy to improve overall health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies should address the physical activity interventions to improve health status during a pandemic.

Impact of Nationwide Lockdowns Resulting from the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Intake, Eating Behaviors, and Diet Quality: A Systematic Review

“…Concerning quality assessment, 26 studies out of 95 ( 20 , 27 , 30 , 38 , 40 , 43 , 51 , 61 , 62 , 71–73 , 75 , 83 , 84 , 90 , 91 , 95 , 97 , 98 , 100 , 102 , 104 , 106 , 112 , 113 ) were considered of low quality (27.4%), having a JBI score <70% ( Supplemental Tables 4 and 5 ).…”

Depressive Symptoms Associated With Musculoskeletal Pain in Inactive Adults During COVID-19 Quarantine

“…This study was approved by the Universidade Nove de Julho' Ethics Committee before data collection (CAAE #30890220.4.0000.5511). Participants did not identify themselves and their answers were only included in the sample if they signed "I accept to participate in the survey" before the protocol started (Christofaro et al 2021).…”

“…For the purpose of the present study, it was selected information about (a) personal information, (c) physical activity, (f) mental health, and (g) overall health domains for analysis. Following we present the questions used in the present analysis (Diniz et al, 2020;Lofrano-Prado et al, 2020;Christofaro et al, 2021;Tebar et al, 2021).…”

“…Weekly physical activity was assessed as previously described (Diniz et al 2020;Christofaro et al 2021). For the weekly physical activity coding, the daily time reported in moderate-to-high intensity physical activities and multiplied by the number of days per week that individual reported exercising.…”

Dietary Changes, Motivators, and Barriers Affecting Diet and Physical Activity among Overweight and Obese: A Mixed Methods Approach

“…Christofaro et al [20] showed that physical activity is positively associated with healthier eating habits. Additionally, Perea Sánchez et al [21] found that active, young adults follow a healthier diet than sedentary young adults.…”