Temporal changes in health-related lifestyle during the COVID-19 epidemic in Finland – a series of cross-sectional surveys
Abstract Background Public health recommendations and governmental restrictions during the COVID-19 epidemic have affect everyday life. This study aimed to examine temporal changes in health-related lifestyle and the accumulation of positive and negative changes in the key lifestyle factors (vegetab...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14574-y |
| _version_ | 1798016746907500544 |
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| author | Tuija Jääskeläinen Tommi Härkänen Peppi Haario Elina Isosaari Annamari Lundqvist |
| author_facet | Tuija Jääskeläinen Tommi Härkänen Peppi Haario Elina Isosaari Annamari Lundqvist |
| author_sort | Tuija Jääskeläinen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Public health recommendations and governmental restrictions during the COVID-19 epidemic have affect everyday life. This study aimed to examine temporal changes in health-related lifestyle and the accumulation of positive and negative changes in the key lifestyle factors (vegetable consumption, leisure-time physical activity, sleeping, alcohol consumption, smoking) in the same individuals among Finnish adults during the epidemic. Methods This study was based on a series of cross-sectional surveys conducted between April 2020 and June 2021 to investigate antibody levels for the new coronavirus in the population. In each survey, a random sample of adults (18 to 69 years) from five university hospital regions were invited. A total of 5655 (response rate 32%) responded to the questionnaire including questions on lifestyle changes during epidemic. Results On average one-sixth of respondents (17%) reported at least two negative changes in the key lifestyle factors during the study period. An increase in snacking and sleep problems and decrease in leisure-time physical activity and active commuting to work were the most common of individual negative changes. The proportion of negative changes in physical activity increased as the epidemic drags on. In contrast, on average every seventh of the respondents (14%) reported at least two positive lifestyle changes in the key lifestyle factors. The most common individual positive changes were increased consumption of fruit, berries and vegetables and decreased consumption of alcohol. More negative changes were reported on average, when both negative and positive changes in the key lifestyle factors were summed. The most negative changes were reported in the late 2020. Conclusion The results of the present study suggest that the lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 epidemic have been diverse being on average more commonly unfavorable than favorable for health. The deteriorated epidemic situation in the late 2020 and, on the other hand, prolonged epidemic predisposed to negative lifestyle changes. Further studies are important to examine whether these changes are maintained over time and to identify the factors that contribute to changes and their accumulation in the same individuals. Health promotion actions are needed to prevent the long-term effects of the epidemic on health and welfare. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T15:55:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-64ed6722696c4eeaba46b2f15704e9b9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T15:55:43Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-64ed6722696c4eeaba46b2f15704e9b92022-12-22T04:15:10ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582022-11-0122111010.1186/s12889-022-14574-yTemporal changes in health-related lifestyle during the COVID-19 epidemic in Finland – a series of cross-sectional surveysTuija Jääskeläinen0Tommi Härkänen1Peppi Haario2Elina Isosaari3Annamari Lundqvist4Finnish Institute for Health and WelfareFinnish Institute for Health and WelfareFinnish Institute for Health and WelfareFinnish Institute for Health and WelfareFinnish Institute for Health and WelfareAbstract Background Public health recommendations and governmental restrictions during the COVID-19 epidemic have affect everyday life. This study aimed to examine temporal changes in health-related lifestyle and the accumulation of positive and negative changes in the key lifestyle factors (vegetable consumption, leisure-time physical activity, sleeping, alcohol consumption, smoking) in the same individuals among Finnish adults during the epidemic. Methods This study was based on a series of cross-sectional surveys conducted between April 2020 and June 2021 to investigate antibody levels for the new coronavirus in the population. In each survey, a random sample of adults (18 to 69 years) from five university hospital regions were invited. A total of 5655 (response rate 32%) responded to the questionnaire including questions on lifestyle changes during epidemic. Results On average one-sixth of respondents (17%) reported at least two negative changes in the key lifestyle factors during the study period. An increase in snacking and sleep problems and decrease in leisure-time physical activity and active commuting to work were the most common of individual negative changes. The proportion of negative changes in physical activity increased as the epidemic drags on. In contrast, on average every seventh of the respondents (14%) reported at least two positive lifestyle changes in the key lifestyle factors. The most common individual positive changes were increased consumption of fruit, berries and vegetables and decreased consumption of alcohol. More negative changes were reported on average, when both negative and positive changes in the key lifestyle factors were summed. The most negative changes were reported in the late 2020. Conclusion The results of the present study suggest that the lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 epidemic have been diverse being on average more commonly unfavorable than favorable for health. The deteriorated epidemic situation in the late 2020 and, on the other hand, prolonged epidemic predisposed to negative lifestyle changes. Further studies are important to examine whether these changes are maintained over time and to identify the factors that contribute to changes and their accumulation in the same individuals. Health promotion actions are needed to prevent the long-term effects of the epidemic on health and welfare.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14574-yLifestyleCOVID-19 epidemicDietSleepPhysical activitySmoking |
| spellingShingle | Tuija Jääskeläinen Tommi Härkänen Peppi Haario Elina Isosaari Annamari Lundqvist Temporal changes in health-related lifestyle during the COVID-19 epidemic in Finland – a series of cross-sectional surveys BMC Public Health Lifestyle COVID-19 epidemic Diet Sleep Physical activity Smoking |
| title | Temporal changes in health-related lifestyle during the COVID-19 epidemic in Finland – a series of cross-sectional surveys |
| title_full | Temporal changes in health-related lifestyle during the COVID-19 epidemic in Finland – a series of cross-sectional surveys |
| title_fullStr | Temporal changes in health-related lifestyle during the COVID-19 epidemic in Finland – a series of cross-sectional surveys |
| title_full_unstemmed | Temporal changes in health-related lifestyle during the COVID-19 epidemic in Finland – a series of cross-sectional surveys |
| title_short | Temporal changes in health-related lifestyle during the COVID-19 epidemic in Finland – a series of cross-sectional surveys |
| title_sort | temporal changes in health related lifestyle during the covid 19 epidemic in finland a series of cross sectional surveys |
| topic | Lifestyle COVID-19 epidemic Diet Sleep Physical activity Smoking |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14574-y |
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