Individual-Level Determinants of Lifestyle Behavioral Changes during COVID-19 Lockdown in the United States: Results of an Online Survey

Xiaotao Zhang, Abiodun Oluyomi, LeChauncy Woodard, Syed Ahsan Raza, Maral Adel Fahmideh, Ola El-Mubasher, Jinyoung Byun, Younghun Han, Christopher I. Amos and Hoda Badr
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Xiaotao Zhang: Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Science, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Abiodun Oluyomi: Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Science, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
LeChauncy Woodard: Department of Health Systems and Population Health Science, University of Houston College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77004, USA
Syed Ahsan Raza: Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Science, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Maral Adel Fahmideh: Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Science, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Ola El-Mubasher: Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Science, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Jinyoung Byun: Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Younghun Han: Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Christopher I. Amos: Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Science, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Hoda Badr: Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Science, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-15

Abstract: This study examined individual-level determinants of self-reported changes in healthy (diet and physical activity) and addictive (alcohol use, smoking, and vaping) lifestyle behaviors during the initial COVID-19 lockdown period in the USA. A national online survey was administered between May and June 2020 that targeted a representative U.S. sample and yielded data from 1276 respondents, including 58% male and 50% racial/ethnic minorities. We used univariate and multivariable linear regression models to examine the associations of sociodemographic, mental health, and behavioral determinants with self-reported changes in lifestyle behaviors. Some study participants reported increases in healthy lifestyle behaviors since the pandemic (i.e., 36% increased healthy eating behaviors, and 33% increased physical activity). However, they also reported increases in addictive lifestyle behaviors including alcohol use (40%), tobacco use (41%), and vaping (46%). With regard to individual-level determinants, individuals who reported adhering to social distancing guidelines were also more likely to report increases in healthy lifestyle behaviors (? = 0.12, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.21). Conversely, women (? = ?0.37, 95% CI ?0.62 to ?0.12), and unemployed individuals (? = ?0.33, 95% CI ?0.64 to ?0.02) were less likely to report increases in healthy lifestyle behaviors. In addition, individuals reporting anxiety were more likely to report increases in addictive behaviors (? = 0.26, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.43). Taken together, these findings suggest that women and unemployed individuals may benefit from interventions targeting diet and physical activity, and that individuals reporting anxiety may benefit from interventions targeting smoking and alcohol cessation to address lifestyle changes during the pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; coronavirus; lifestyle; anxiety; behavioral determinants (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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