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

Frontiers in Psychology

Neal Malik¹  Wagner L. Prado¹  André O. Werneck²  Gabriel G. Cucato³  Joao Paulo Botero⁴  Mara C. Lofrano-Prado⁵  Raphael M. Ritti-Dias⁶  Marilia A. Correia⁷  William R. Tebar⁸  Diego G. D. Christofaro⁸ 

[1] California State University, San Bernardino, CA, United States;Department of Nutrition, Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil;Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom;Human Movement Science and Rehabilitation Graduation Program, São Paulo Federal University, Santos, Brazil;Independent Researcher, San Bernardino, CA, United States;Post-graduate Program in Rehabilitation Science, Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo, Brazil;Post-graduate program in Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo, Brazil;School of Technology and Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Presidente Prudente, Brazil;

关键词: COVID-19;    dietary pattern;    exercise;    food intake;    lyfestyle;    lockdown;    developing countries;    health;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2021.664568

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY