Bidirectional Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns on Health Behaviors and Quality of Life among Chinese Adults

Xiuqiang Wang, Si Man Lei, Shenglong Le, Yanxiang Yang, Boyi Zhang, Wu Yao, Zan Gao and Sulin Cheng
Additional contact information
Xiuqiang Wang: Exercise Translational Medicine Center, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Si Man Lei: Exercise Translational Medicine Center, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Shenglong Le: Exercise Translational Medicine Center, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Yanxiang Yang: Exercise, Health and Technology Center, Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Boyi Zhang: Exercise, Health and Technology Center, Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Wu Yao: Exercise, Health and Technology Center, Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Zan Gao: School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
Sulin Cheng: Exercise Translational Medicine Center, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-17

Abstract: Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created challenges that have caused profound changes in health behaviors. This study aimed to explore how COVID-19 is affecting the health-related quality of life (QoL) among Chinese adults. Methods: The data of health-related behaviors and QoL were collected via online surveys from 2289 adults (mean age = 27.8 ± 12 years) who had been isolated at home for an average of 77 days. Results: More than 50% of the respondents reported that their time engaged in daily physical activity (PA) decreased, while sedentary behavior (SB) time increased compared with that before the lockdown. Only 20% of the respondents reported engaging in moderate-to-vigorous PA, 23% of adults reported changed their diets to be healthier, and 30% reported consuming more vegetables, fruits, and milk products than before home-isolation. During home-isolation, 75.2% of the adults rated their sleep quality as very good, and 65% reported that they were satisfied with their QoL. Sleep quality mediated the relationship between PA and QoL. Conclusion: The two-to-three-month home-isolation has had mixed effects on adult health behaviors in China. The participants were found to have focused more on their eating quality and patterns, which had a positive influence on their QoL. However, people should be encouraged to exercise at home with limited space to maintain a generally healthy lifestyle during a prolonged quarantine.

Keywords: diet; pandemic; physical activity; sedentary behavior; sleep (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (23)

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