Towards an in-depth understanding of physical activity and eating behaviours during COVID-19 social confinement: a combined approach from a Portuguese national survey

Marlene Nunes Silva*, Maria João Gregório*, Rute Santos*, Adilson Marques*, Bruno Rodrigues*, Cristina Godinho*, Catarina Santos Silva*, Romeu Mendes*, Pedro Graça*, Miguel Arriaga*, Graça Freitas*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)
39 Downloads

Abstract

Rapid worldwide decreases in physical activity (PA), an increase in sedentary behaviour (SB) and poorer dietary patterns have been reported during COVID-19 confinement periods. However, as national variability has been observed, this study sought to describe PA, SB and eating patterns, and to explore their gender as well as other socio-demographic correlates and how they interrelate in a representative sample of Portuguese adults during the COVID-19 first mandatory social confinement. The survey was applied online and by telephone to 5856 adults (mean age = 45.8 years; 42.6% women). The majority reported high (46.0%) or moderate (20.5%) PA levels. Men, younger participants, those with higher education levels and a favourable perception of their financial situation reported higher PA levels, with the opposite pattern for SB. Physical fitness activities and household chores were more reported by women, with more strength training and running activities reported by men. Regarding eating behaviours, 45.1% reported changes, positive (58%) and negative (42%), with 18.2% reporting increases in consumption of fruit, vegetables, and fish and other seafood consumption, while 10.8% (most with lower educational level and less comfortable with their income) reported an increase in consumption of ready-to-eat meals, soft drinks, savoury snacks, and take-away and delivered meals. Two clusters—a health-enhancing vs. risky pattern— emerged through multiple correspondence analysis characterized by co-occurrence of high vs. low PA levels, positive vs. negative eating changes, awareness or not of the COVID-19 PA and dietary recommendations, perceived financial situation, higher vs. lower educational level and time in social confinement. In conclusion, while in social confinement, both positive and negative PA and eating behaviours and trends were displayed, highlighting the role of key sociodemographic correlates contributing to healthy vs. risky patterns. Results may inform future health interventions and policies to be more targeted to those at risk, and also advocate the promotion of PA and healthy eating in an integrated fashion.
Original languageEnglish
Article number2685
Number of pages19
JournalNutrients
Volume13
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2021

Keywords

  • COVID-19 social confinement
  • Eating behaviour
  • Health and risk patterns
  • Physical activity
  • Sedentary behaviour
  • Socio-demographic correlates

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Towards an in-depth understanding of physical activity and eating behaviours during COVID-19 social confinement: a combined approach from a Portuguese national survey'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this