Change in eating habits and physical activities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong: a cross‐sectional study via random telephone survey
Background Hong Kong is a densely populated city with a low incidence and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The city imposed different levels of social distancing including, the closure of sports venues and restrictions on eateries. This inevitably affects the eating behaviour and ph...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12970-021-00431-7 |
| _version_ | 1797684921466093568 |
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| author | Jingxuan Wang Eng Kiong Yeoh Tony Ka Chun Yung Martin Chi Sang Wong Dong Dong Xiao Chen Maggie Ka Ying Chan Eliza Lai Yi Wong Yushan Wu Zihao Guo Yawen Wang Shi Zhao Ka Chun Chong |
| author_facet | Jingxuan Wang Eng Kiong Yeoh Tony Ka Chun Yung Martin Chi Sang Wong Dong Dong Xiao Chen Maggie Ka Ying Chan Eliza Lai Yi Wong Yushan Wu Zihao Guo Yawen Wang Shi Zhao Ka Chun Chong |
| author_sort | Jingxuan Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Hong Kong is a densely populated city with a low incidence and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The city imposed different levels of social distancing including, the closure of sports venues and restrictions on eateries. This inevitably affects the eating behaviour and physical activities of the population. We examined the changes in eating behavior and physical activities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and identified sociodemographic factors associated with the behavioral changes. Methods This was a cross-sectional study via a random telephone survey of Chinese adults conducted in Hong Kong from May to June, 2020 - a period in which social distancing measures were being imposed. We measured the physical activity habits from four aspects and dietary consumption patterns from seven aspects before and during the pandemic based on the World Health Organization’s guidelines and previous publications. Results In total, 724 participants were recruited. Individuals were found to cook more frequently at home (p < 0.001) and order take-out (p < 0.001) during the COVID-19 pandemic. While no significant change in the frequency of fast food consumption was observed, we found significant increases in the frequency of eating fruits (p < 0.001) and vegetables (p = 0.004). The frequencies of walking, moderate-intensive sports, and high-intensity sports were significantly reduced (p < 0.001). We found that healthy lifestyle behaviors during the pandemic were negatively associated with participants’ economic status. Conclusions Social distancing measures likely provided an opportunity for individuals to stay home and thus eat healthier. However, in a prolonged period of social restrictions, a lower physical activity level poses a risk to public health. Public health officials are thus advised to monitor physical health on a population-wide basis. The findings highlighted the importance of interventions tailored to individuals who have prolonged home stays - particularly for individuals in the low economic group. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:37:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-055cb45da87b403891363deba185f292 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1550-2783 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:37:51Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-055cb45da87b403891363deba185f2922023-09-15T09:19:32ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition1550-27832021-04-0118110.1186/s12970-021-00431-712130240Change in eating habits and physical activities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong: a cross‐sectional study via random telephone surveyJingxuan Wang0Eng Kiong Yeoh1Tony Ka Chun Yung2Martin Chi Sang Wong3Dong Dong4Xiao Chen5Maggie Ka Ying Chan6Eliza Lai Yi Wong7Yushan Wu8Zihao Guo9Yawen Wang10Shi Zhao11Ka Chun Chong12School of Public Health and Primary CareSchool of Public Health and Primary CareSchool of Public Health and Primary CareSchool of Public Health and Primary CareSchool of Public Health and Primary CareSchool of Public HealthSchool of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineSchool of Public Health and Primary CareSchool of Public Health and Primary CareSchool of Public Health and Primary CareSchool of Public Health and Primary CareSchool of Public Health and Primary CareSchool of Public Health and Primary CareBackground Hong Kong is a densely populated city with a low incidence and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The city imposed different levels of social distancing including, the closure of sports venues and restrictions on eateries. This inevitably affects the eating behaviour and physical activities of the population. We examined the changes in eating behavior and physical activities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and identified sociodemographic factors associated with the behavioral changes. Methods This was a cross-sectional study via a random telephone survey of Chinese adults conducted in Hong Kong from May to June, 2020 - a period in which social distancing measures were being imposed. We measured the physical activity habits from four aspects and dietary consumption patterns from seven aspects before and during the pandemic based on the World Health Organization’s guidelines and previous publications. Results In total, 724 participants were recruited. Individuals were found to cook more frequently at home (p < 0.001) and order take-out (p < 0.001) during the COVID-19 pandemic. While no significant change in the frequency of fast food consumption was observed, we found significant increases in the frequency of eating fruits (p < 0.001) and vegetables (p = 0.004). The frequencies of walking, moderate-intensive sports, and high-intensity sports were significantly reduced (p < 0.001). We found that healthy lifestyle behaviors during the pandemic were negatively associated with participants’ economic status. Conclusions Social distancing measures likely provided an opportunity for individuals to stay home and thus eat healthier. However, in a prolonged period of social restrictions, a lower physical activity level poses a risk to public health. Public health officials are thus advised to monitor physical health on a population-wide basis. The findings highlighted the importance of interventions tailored to individuals who have prolonged home stays - particularly for individuals in the low economic group.http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12970-021-00431-7covid-19dietnutritionphysical activitysocial distancingmitigationsportpublic health |
| spellingShingle | Jingxuan Wang Eng Kiong Yeoh Tony Ka Chun Yung Martin Chi Sang Wong Dong Dong Xiao Chen Maggie Ka Ying Chan Eliza Lai Yi Wong Yushan Wu Zihao Guo Yawen Wang Shi Zhao Ka Chun Chong Change in eating habits and physical activities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong: a cross‐sectional study via random telephone survey Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition covid-19 diet nutrition physical activity social distancing mitigation sport public health |
| title | Change in eating habits and physical activities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong: a cross‐sectional study via random telephone survey |
| title_full | Change in eating habits and physical activities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong: a cross‐sectional study via random telephone survey |
| title_fullStr | Change in eating habits and physical activities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong: a cross‐sectional study via random telephone survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Change in eating habits and physical activities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong: a cross‐sectional study via random telephone survey |
| title_short | Change in eating habits and physical activities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong: a cross‐sectional study via random telephone survey |
| title_sort | change in eating habits and physical activities before and during the covid 19 pandemic in hong kong a cross sectional study via random telephone survey |
| topic | covid-19 diet nutrition physical activity social distancing mitigation sport public health |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12970-021-00431-7 |
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