Healthy diets, lifestyle changes and well-being during and after lockdown: longitudinal evidence from the West Midlands

Thijs van Rens, Petra Hanson, Oyinlola Oyebode, Lukasz Walasek, Thomas M Barber and Lena Al-Khudairy
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Petra Hanson: Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Warwick
Oyinlola Oyebode: Queen Mary University of London
Lukasz Walasek: Department of Psychology, University of Warwick
Thomas M Barber: Endocrinology and Metabolism, University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire
Lena Al-Khudairy: University of Warwick

The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) from University of Warwick, Department of Economics

Abstract: Lockdowns’ to control the spread of COVID-19 in the UK affected many aspects of life and may have adversely affected diets. We aimed to examine (1) the effect of lockdowns on fruit and vegetable consumption, as a proxy for healthy diets more generally, and on weight and well-being, (2) whether any subgroup was particularly affected and (3) the barriers and facilitators to a healthy diet in lockdown. We find no evidence for decreased fruit and vegetable consumption during lockdown compared with afterwards. If anything, consumption increased by half a portion daily among women, particularly among those who normally have a long commute. This finding, combined with a significant increase in physical activity, suggests that behaviours were healthier during lockdown, consistent with higher self-reported health. However, well-being deteriorated markedly, and participants reported being heavier during the lockdown as well. Our qualitative data suggest that an abundance of resources (more time) supported higher fruit and vegetable consumption during lockdown, despite increased access issues. Our results may assuage concerns that lockdowns adversely affected diets. They may point to the impact of commuting on diet, particularly for women. We add longitudinal evidence to a growing body of literature on the adverse effect of lockdown on mental health.

Date: 2023
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hap and nep-hea
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