Associations between Lifestyle Changes and Adherence to COVID-19 Restrictions in Older Adults with Hypertension

Marco D’Addario, Roberta Adorni, Patrizia Steca, Roberto Capelli, Francesco Zanatta, Francesco Fattirolli, Cristina Franzelli, Cristina Giannattasio and Andrea Greco
Additional contact information
Marco D’Addario: Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
Roberta Adorni: Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
Patrizia Steca: Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
Roberto Capelli: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy
Francesco Zanatta: Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
Francesco Fattirolli: Department of Medical and Surgical Critical Care, Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
Cristina Franzelli: Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation, ASST Gaetano Pini—CTO, 20122 Milan, Italy
Cristina Giannattasio: School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
Andrea Greco: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-15

Abstract: COVID-19 has changed people’s routines and imposed new ways of living. This study investigated variations in lifestyles (namely, physical activity, diet, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking) between the prepandemic and the pandemic period in a sample of older adults with hypertension. Moreover, it investigated predictors of adherence to government restrictions during the first lockdown period, evidencing the role of relevant sociodemographic indicators and lifestyle changes. A sample of 105 older Italian adults (M_age = 70 years; SD = 5.83) with hypertension was enrolled from a previous longitudinal study and interviewed on the phone between May and August 2020. Updated information about sociodemographic indicators and lifestyle changes was collected. Adherence to restrictions was explored through several questions regarding compliance with home confinement, facemask use, and the observance of social distancing. Results evidenced that only 33% of the respondents abided by all the national restrictions. During the first pandemic peak, considerable changes in lifestyles occurred, particularly regarding physical activity, which diminished in 70% of the sample. Women, unemployed/retired people, and individuals who decreased their amount of physical activity reported higher adherence to rules. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle over time is essential for disease prevention. Therefore, it is essential to continue to inform the population about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and it is necessary to provide guidelines to maintain and promote it even during housebound periods.

Keywords: COVID-19; adherence to restrictions; lifestyle change; physical activity; diet; alcohol consumption; cigarette smoking; gender (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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