Determinants of the Lifestyle Changes during COVID-19 Pandemic in the Residents of Northern Italy

Raffaella Cancello, Davide Soranna, Gaia Zambra, Antonella Zambon and Cecilia Invitti
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Raffaella Cancello: Obesity Unit—Laboratory of Nutrition and Obesity Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, 20145 Milan, Italy
Davide Soranna: Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Biostatistic Unit, 20145 Milan, Italy
Gaia Zambra: Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Biostatistic Unit, 20145 Milan, Italy
Antonella Zambon: Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Biostatistic Unit, 20145 Milan, Italy
Cecilia Invitti: Research laboratory of Preventive Medicine, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, 20122 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-14

Abstract: Background: The confinement recommended during COVID-19 pandemic could affect behavior and health. Methods: We conducted a self-reported survey in northern Italy to observe the lockdown effects on lifestyle changes and to assess their determinants. Prevalence Odds Ratio and Prevalence Risk Ratio were determined. Results: 490 adults (84% female) completed the survey: 13% and 43% reported improved and unchanged sleep quality, respectively, while 43% had insomnia symptoms. Among the 272 active subjects in pre-lockdown, 14% continued habitual exercising, 18% increased it and 68% reduced it; 27% of sedentary subjects started physical exercise; 34% reported an improvement in diet quality; 42% increased food intake and 13% decreased it; and 38% of the smokers increased cigarette consumption. Age and the pre-lockdown habit of regular physical exercising were the mainly determinants of lifestyle changes whereas BMI, gender, and the presence of chronic diseases did not. Living with other people increased the likelihood of increasing the food intake ( p = 0.002). Conclusions: More than a third of people were able to positively reorganize their lives during the forced home confinement. It is worth to disseminate information to preserve a healthy lifestyle even when confined at home.

Keywords: COVID-19; lockdown; lifestyle; food habits; diet; physical activity; sleep; smoking; survey; health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (28)

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