Changes in nutrition and lifestyle habits during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey and the effects of healthy eating attitudes

Lifestyle Changes during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic as Predictors of BMI Changes among Men and Women in Poland

BACKGROUND

Social isolation during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic affected people's body weight, therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the association between lifestyle elements and the change in BMI during lockdown.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study involved 290 questionnaires completed by adult participants divided into three groups according to BMI change during isolation. The structured questionnaire included a general description of the study objective and collected data regarding sociodemographics, anthropometrics, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep duration, and food intake pre- and during COVID-19 lockdown.

RESULTS

A decrease or increase in BMI was found in 23.6% and 47.8% of women and 18.5% and 42.6% of men, respectively. Among those who lost weight, 46.5% of women and 40% of men followed a diet of their own choice, 30.2% of women and 25% of men changed their product mix and reduced their intake, 40% of men stopped eating outside the home. An increase in BMI was associated with increased food intake (32.2% of women and 28.3% of men), increased sleep duration on weekdays (49.2% of women and 43.5% of men) and, in more than 50% of subjects, decreased physical activity. In women, increased BMI was associated with the highest frequency of snacking (p = 0.0003), the highest intake of sweets (p = 0.0021), and in men with the highest intake of alcohol (p = 0.0017).

CONCLUSIONS

The observed changes in BMI during social isolation were the result of lifestyle modifications including dietary behaviour and differed by gender.

Global Dietary and Herbal Supplement Use during COVID-19-A Scoping Review

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of cure and the intensity of the global spread raised a common awareness of health. The aim of this scoping review is to summarize dietary supplement use globally during first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic search was conducted in December 2021 following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, ERIC, and Scopus databases were searched, and 956 results were screened for eligibility. Fourteen cross-sectional studies from 11 countries and 3 continents were examined. All studies were large population surveys investigating healthy eating and supplement use during COVID-19. Vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc and multivitamins were the most widely reported, as well as natural/herbal products such as ginger and honey. The most common reason cited for supplements use was to strengthen immune system and to prevent infection of COVID-19. These studies reported that populations are relying on healthcare providers, family, friends, and social media to learn about supplement use. Future studies on the treatment of COVID-19 should include more evidence for supplement use.

Truths and myths about superfoods in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic

Nowadays, during the current COVID-19 pandemic, consumers increasingly seek foods that not only fulfill the basic need (i.e., satisfying hunger) but also enhance human health and well-being. As a result, more attention has been given to some kinds of foods, termed "superfoods," making big claims about their richness in valuable nutrients and bioactive compounds as well as their capability to prevent illness, reinforcing the human immune system, and improve overall health.This review is an attempt to uncover truths and myths about superfoods by giving examples of the most popular foods (e.g., berries, pomegranates, watermelon, olive, green tea, several seeds and nuts, honey, salmon, and camel milk, among many others) that are commonly reported as having unique nutritional, nutraceutical, and functional characteristics.While superfoods have become a popular buzzword in blog articles and social media posts, scientific publications are still relatively marginal. The reviewed findings show that COVID-19 has become a significant driver for superfoods consumption. Food Industry 4.0 innovations have revolutionized many sectors of food technologies, including the manufacturing of functional foods, offering new opportunities to improve the sensory and nutritional quality of such foods. Although many food products have been considered superfoods and intensively sought by consumers, scientific evidence for their beneficial effectiveness and their "superpower" are yet to be provided. Therefore, more research and collaboration between researchers, industry, consumers, and policymakers are still needed to differentiate facts from marketing gimmicks and promote human health and nutrition.

Assessment of Dietary Habits and Use of Nutritional Supplements in COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle-related behaviours in Turkey: A web-based cross-sectional study

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic and restrictions imposed to eradicate it have affected healthy lifestyle‐related behaviours.

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of COVID‐19 on lifestyle‐related behaviours.

Methods

This cross‐sectional web‐based survey research was performed with a convenience sample of 1020 adults residing in Turkey. Data were collected with self‐report data collection tools on 8–28 April 2021: a sociodemographic characteristics form and the impact of COVID‐19 on lifestyle‐related behaviours questionnaire.

Results

Eating behaviours, physical activity and sleep patterns of the participants were negatively affected during COVID‐19 pandemic (p < 0.001). More than half of the participants experienced weight gain during the pandemic. Also, stress levels and smoking increased (p < 0.01). The participants reported having changes in their lifestyles most frequently due to the fear of COVID‐19 infection, stress, decreased motivation, closure of the facilities for social and sports activities and increased food prices. Predictors of lifestyle‐related behaviours were found to be education (β = .189), income (β = −.101), residing in a village (β = .113) and the presence of a chronic disease (β = .075) (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

During the pandemic, COVID‐19‐related restrictions should be applied whilst taking account of both social distancing measures and maintenance of healthy lifestyle‐related behaviours. Nurses should offer counselling for maintenance of healthy lifestyle‐related behaviours.

What is already known about this topic?

Studies performed at the beginning and during the course of COVID‐19 pandemic in different countries have shown that lifestyle‐related behaviours are negatively affected.

Few studies have used a valid and reliable tool to determine the effect of COVID‐19 on lifestyle‐related behaviours.

The effect of COVID‐19 on lifestyle‐related behaviours has not been examined from a nursing perspective.

What this paper adds?

In the present study, which was performed at a time when night curfews and weekend shutdowns were imposed in Turkey, lifestyles of the participants were found to be negatively affected.

More than half of the participants gained weight and had increased stress and smoking and a decreased sleep quality.

The negative effect on lifestyle‐related behaviours was more severe in participants with low education and income levels, living in a village and suffering from a chronic disease.

The implications of this paper:

Restrictions introduced during the pandemic should both take account of social distancing measures and allow healthy lifestyle‐related behaviours.

Nurses playing a role in first line health care services should offer education and counselling for maintenance of healthy lifestyle‐related behaviours by utilizing information and communication technology (e.g., video calls).