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Sseguya W, Bahendeka S, MacLennan S, Mody N, Guntupalli AM. Diabetes mellitus in sub-saharan Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305112. [PMID: 38976666 PMCID: PMC11230555 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the healthcare and outcomes of individuals with various chronic diseases. However, there is a paucity of data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diabetes mellitus (DM) in low-resource settings. To address this, we conducted a scoping review to explore the literature published on diabetes-related COVID-19 outcomes and care during the COVID-19 pandemic in countries of sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS We applied our search strategy to PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, African Index Medicus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Science Direct, ERIC and Embase to obtain relevant articles published from January 2020 to March 2023. Two independent reviewers were involved in screening the retrieved articles. Data from eligible articles were extracted from quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies. Quantitative evidence was summarised using descriptive statistics, while a thematic framework was used to identify and categorise themes from qualitative evidence. RESULTS We found 42 of the retrieved 360 articles eligible, mainly from South Africa, Ethiopia and Ghana (73.4%). The incidence of DM among COVID-19 cases was 13.7/1,000 person-days observation. COVID-19 was associated with increased odds of death (OR 1.30-9.0, 95% CI), hospitalisation (OR 3.30-3.73: 95% CI), and severity (OR: 1.30-4.05, 95% CI) in persons with DM. Challenges in caring for DM during the pandemic were inadequate patient self-management, difficulties in healthcare access, and inadequate healthcare resources. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic was characterised by a high incidence of DM in persons infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and high COVID-19-associated mortality, severity, and hospitalisation among people persons with DM. The pandemic also created difficulties in DM self-management and worsened the quality of DM care services. Policymakers should devise preventive and management strategies for DM during emerging and re-emerging infectious disease epidemics and outbreaks, given that such occurrences are increasingly frequent in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenceslaus Sseguya
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- Department of Internal Medicine, St Francis Hospital Nsambya, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Silver Bahendeka
- Department of Internal Medicine, St Francis Hospital Nsambya, Kampala, Uganda
- Mother Kevin Postgraduate Medical School, Uganda Martyrs University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sara MacLennan
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Nimesh Mody
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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Scoditti E, Bodini A, Sabina S, Leo CG, Mincarone P, Rissotto A, Fusco S, Guarino R, Ponzini G, Tumolo MR, Magnavita N, Tripepi GL, Garbarino S. Effects of working from home on lifestyle behaviors and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A survey study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300812. [PMID: 38558099 PMCID: PMC10984516 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak has led to relevant changes in everyday life worldwide. One of these changes has been a rapid transition to and an increasing implementation of working from home (WH) modality. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of mandatory WH during the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle behaviors, Mediterranean diet adherence, body weight, and depression. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in the early 2022 at the National Research Council of Italy using ad hoc questions and validated scales collecting information on physical activity, sedentary behavior, hobbies/pastimes, dietary habits including adherence to the Mediterranean diet, body weight, and depression during WH compared with before WH. 748 respondents were included in the study. An increased sedentary lifetime was reported by 48% of respondents; however, the subsample of workers who previously performed moderate physical activity intensified this activity. Body weight gain during WH was self-reported in 39.9% of respondents. Mediterranean diet adherence increased (p≪0.001) during WH compared with before WH. The average level of mental health did not record an overall variation; however, the proportion of subjects with mild and moderate depression increased (p = 0.006), while workers who reported values indicative of depression before the transition declared an improvement. These findings highlight health-related impact of WH during the COVID-19 pandemic that may inform future strategies and policies to improve employees' health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egeria Scoditti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council (CNR), Lecce, Italy
| | - Antonella Bodini
- Institute for Applied Mathematics and Information Technologies "E. Magenes" (IMATI), National Research Council (CNR), Milano, Italy
| | - Saverio Sabina
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council (CNR), Lecce, Italy
| | - Carlo Giacomo Leo
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council (CNR), Lecce, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Mincarone
- Institute for Research on Population and Social Policies (IRPPS), National Research Council (CNR), Research Unit of Brindisi, Brindisi, Italy
| | | | - Stanislao Fusco
- Training and Welfare Unit, National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Guarino
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council (CNR), Lecce, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ponzini
- Institute for Research on Population and Social Policies (IRPPS), National Research Council (CNR), Research Unit of Brindisi, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Tumolo
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technology (DISTEBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Nicola Magnavita
- Post-graduate School of Occupational Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luigi Tripepi
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council (CNR), Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Sergio Garbarino
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal/Child Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Khan MA, Khan SA, Annadurai K, Parajuli SB, Ahmed WN, Altamimi S, Ashok T, Shah D, Sayyad Y, Dubey A, Tariq A, Riyaz R, Hasan F, Amiri S, Faris M. Determinants of body weight changes during Ramadan fasting in India amid COVID-19: A cross-sectional study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e37040. [PMID: 38277572 PMCID: PMC10817079 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) presents unique challenges and opportunities for public health and clinical practice, especially in populations with a high prevalence of non-communicable diseases. This study aims to investigate the impact of RIF on weight change among Indian Muslims and explore the associated demographic, dietary, and behavioral factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of Indian Muslim adults who observed RIF. Participants were asked to report their demographic information, family and personal health history, and dietary and lifestyle behaviors before and during Ramadan month. The primary outcome was body weight change, with secondary outcomes including changes in dietary patterns, physical activity, and other health-related lifestyle behaviors. The study found that during Ramadan, nearly half of the participants (48.5%) self-reported a retained initial weight, while a significant fraction (30.9%) self-reported a modest weight reduction between 0.5 to 2.5 kg at the end of Ramadan. Additionally, self-reported eating practices demonstrated moderately altered by about half (48.4%) of the study participants, with 32.2% reporting minor changes and 8.2% indicating substantial changes. An urban residence was associated with a higher likelihood of weight gain, where urban residents showed 3 times the odds of increased weight compared to rural inhabitants. Employment status emerged as a significant determinant for weight fluctuation, influencing both weight gain and loss. During Ramadan, there was a significant rise in snacking frequency, increasing from 21.7% to 32.6% in comparison with pre-Ramadan. The consumption of large quantities of food more frequently grew from 14.9% to 36%, and the incidence of eating despite not being hungry went up from 17.4% to 33.2%. The study demonstrates that RIF is associated with variable changes in body weight among adult Indian Muslims, influenced by urbanization, employment status, and dietary changes. The findings suggest that clinicians should provide tailored advice about body weight regulation during Ramadan and consider integrating community-based health initiatives within religious settings to improve health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moien A.B. Khan
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Primary Care, NHS North West London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kalaivani Annadurai
- Bhaarath Medical College & Hospital, Chennai, BIHER University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Surya Bahadur Parajuli
- Department of Community Medicine, Birat Medical College Teaching Hospital, Morang, Nepal
| | | | - Saoud Altamimi
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | | | | | | | - Ashish Dubey
- Orenburg State Medical University, Orenburg, Russia
| | - Abdullah Tariq
- Indian Institute of Medical Science and Research, Warudi, Maharashtra, India
| | - Romana Riyaz
- Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Fayeza Hasan
- College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Sohrab Amiri
- Quran and Hadith Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Moezalislam Faris
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences/Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Rabiee Khan F, Abdelraheim Titi M, Frankowska N, Kowalczyk K, Alziedan R, Yin-Kei Lau C, Biernat K, Brown KG. The Impact of the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic on University Staff Dietary Behaviours, Sleeping Patterns, and Well-Being: An International Comparison Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6941. [PMID: 37887679 PMCID: PMC10606338 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20206941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
This study assessed the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on well-being by measuring the changes to food security, dietary behaviour, and sleeping patterns of university staff in England, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and China. Using a cross-sectional study design, participants in four universities in the respective countries were surveyed between June and July 2020. The mean age of the 902 participants was 42 years old and 67% were female. The findings indicate a reduction in emotionally driven food behaviour [t (901.00) = -20.87, p < 0.001], food acquisition location [t (901.00) = -51.55, p < 0.001], skipping meals [t (901.00) = -24, p < 0.001], and consumption of canned fruit and vegetables [t (901.00) = -10.18, p < 0.001]. However, home cooking [t (901.00) = 36.61, p < 0.001] and the food shopping experience [t (901.00) = 4.53, p < 0.001] markedly increased during lockdown. The participants had higher levels of well-being during the pandemic and experienced a significant increase in sleeping hours (p < 0.001). Increased age and sleeping hours were positively associated with overall well-being. Conversely, emotionally driven food behaviour (i.e., buying and eating more food out of boredom/fear or anxiety) and skipping meals decreased the overall well-being. Lockdown had beneficial effects on dietary behaviours, sleeping patterns, and well-being, but there were variations between countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Rabiee Khan
- College of Life Sciences, Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK
| | - Maher Abdelraheim Titi
- Quality Management Department, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh P.O. Box 7805, Saudi Arabia
- Research Chair for Evidence-Based Health Care and Knowledge Translation, Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University, Riyadh P.O. Box 7805, Saudi Arabia
| | - Natalia Frankowska
- SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 03-815 Warsaw, Poland;
| | | | - Rasmieh Alziedan
- Cardiology Department, Medical College, King Fuad University, Riyadh P.O. Box 7805, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Christine Yin-Kei Lau
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Karolina Biernat
- Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Public Health Department, Council House, Solihull B91 9QS, UK;
| | - Kyle Gavin Brown
- College of Psychology, Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B4 7BD, UK;
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Aljaadi AM, Bogis RJ, Alruhili NA, Alharbi SO, Noorwali EA. Stress during Home Confinement Is Associated with Eating Misalignment among Adults during COVID-19 Lockdown. Nutrients 2023; 15:4018. [PMID: 37764800 PMCID: PMC10536564 DOI: 10.3390/nu15184018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic forced Saudi Arabia to implement several measures including mandatory home confinement, banning entry to many cities, and suspending religious activities. Studies have reported inconsistent findings of the effect of home confinement on lifestyle factors. This study aims to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 during home confinement and explore its association with dietary habits and weight change. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi adults using an online survey between May and June 2020. Data on dietary habits, sleep quality, and stress were collected. RESULTS A total of n = 503 participants responded. Of 254 analyzed, 87% were females, 49% were overweight/obese (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2), and 79% were under lockdown for >40 days. In multiple linear regression, higher stress scores during confinement were associated with higher stress scores before confinement and poorer sleep quality. In multiple logistic regression, those who did not eat at the same time had higher stress scores compared to those who always ate at the same time, whereas consuming ≥three meals was associated with lower stress scores than consuming one-two meals. The odds of gaining weight during confinement were higher among married adults, those with lower sleep quality, and consuming ≥three meals. CONCLUSIONS Stress during home confinement was associated with eating misalignment and the number of meals consumed. Although this study was limited by its cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data, it provides valuable insights into the dietary habits and weight-gain associated factors that need to be further explored and addressed in any future restrictions for improved well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abeer M. Aljaadi
- Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 24381, Saudi Arabia (E.A.N.)
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Kumar T, Jha K, Zabihullah M, Neelu K, Kumar Y, Siddharth K. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on semen quality in male partners of infertile couples: a hospital-based observational study. Asian J Androl 2023; 25:240-244. [PMID: 36348579 PMCID: PMC10069688 DOI: 10.4103/aja202278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on male fertility have received considerable attention because human testes contain high levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptors, through which severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can enter. Early studies showed decreases in semen quality during and after recovery from COVID-19. However, no semen quality studies have examined the effects of widespread subclinical and mild disease, as well as changes in lifestyle, psychosocial behavior, intake of dietary supplements, and stress. This cross-sectional study compared semen quality parameters in male partners of infertile couples between men who underwent semen analysis before the COVID-19 pandemic (prepandemic group) and men who underwent semen analysis during the pandemic period (pandemic group); the analysis sought to clarify the overall effects of the pandemic. No participants in the pandemic group had experienced clinically overt disease. Among the 239 participants, mean body weight (P = 0.001), mean body mass index (P < 0.001), median sperm concentration (P = 0.014), total sperm count (P = 0.006), and total percentages of motile (P = 0.013) and abnormal cells (P < 0.001) were significantly greater in the pandemic group (n = 137) than those in the prepandemic group (n = 102). Among abnormal cells, the percentages of cells with excess residual cytoplasm (P < 0.001), head defects (P < 0.001), and tail defects (P = 0.015) were significantly greater in the pandemic group than those in the prepandemic group. With the exception of morphology, the overall semenogram results were better in the pandemic group than those in the prepandemic group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tribhuwan Kumar
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 801507, Bihar, India
| | - Kamlesh Jha
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 801507, Bihar, India
| | - Md Zabihullah
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 801507, Bihar, India
| | - Kumari Neelu
- Akshat Spandan Clinic, Patna 801507, Bihar, India
| | - Yogesh Kumar
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 801507, Bihar, India
| | - Kumar Siddharth
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 801507, Bihar, India
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Motiwala ZY, Khan IR, Ahmad S, Abedi AJ. Dietary Changes among the Indian Population during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study. Indian J Community Med 2023; 48:137-141. [PMID: 37082413 PMCID: PMC10112769 DOI: 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_521_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background After the COVID-19 outbreak, significant changes in lifestyle and dietary patterns were observed. There are many studies indicating lifestyle changes but very few pointing out the intricate changes in consumption of different food groups, so our aim is to analyze the same. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 participants between the age group of 18 and 60 years. A self-developed questionnaire with questions regarding the change in consumption of different food groups during the pandemic was circulated online among the urban population. Results It was observed that 46% participants turned down their consumption of fish and seafood and 48.2% participants lowered frozen protein consumption. 44.9% respondents increased their milk consumption and 41.8% reduced their intake of ice-creams. It was observed that 42.4% participants turned up their consumption of bread and buns and 47.3% of respondents increased their rice intake. It was further recorded that 39.6% and 40.9% participants raised their intake of sweets and chocolates and biscuits and cookies, respectively. 50% and 61.3% respondents ate more green leafy vegetables and fruits during the pandemic. There was a 53.3%, 46.9%, and 38.7% reduction in the consumption of hamburgers, pizza, and fried foods, respectively. Conclusion Majority of the participants have increased consumption of healthy foods like milk, fruits, vegetables, and nuts, while reduced the consumption of junk foods, carbonated drinks, and ice-cream. There has been a positive shift in the dietary pattern of the Indian population toward foods that help develop immunity despite its limited availability during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainab Y. Motiwala
- Third Year MBBS Student, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Isna R. Khan
- Third Year MBBS Student, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sameena Ahmad
- Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ali J. Abedi
- Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Impact of COVID-19 on health risk behaviors in northern California: A cross-sectional survey. Prev Med Rep 2022; 30:102051. [PMCID: PMC9661418 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.102051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has been disruptive, unevenly impacting health behaviors in different geographical regions and population groups. We examined how COVID-19 affected perceived changes in physical activity, sleep, and diet and the impact of socio-demographic variables on a calculated health risk behavior score. In this cross-sectional study, 505 residents of northern California completed a web-based survey from August to November of 2020. Chi-square and multivariable linear regression analyses examined the association between socio-demographic variables and the health risk behavior score. Approximately 84 % of respondents experienced at least one unfavorable behavior change after the pandemic, with 49.5 % indicating a reduction in physical activity, 29.7 % a decrease in sleep, 33.1 % an increase in sugary snack consumption, and 29.3 % a decrease in fruit and vegetable intake. Multivariate analyses indicated a higher health risk behavior score (less favorable) for females compared to males (male beta = -0.815, p < 0.0001) and Hispanics compared to Whites (Hispanics beta = 0.396, p = 0.033). The negative changes in health behavior observed in females could be attributed to a higher reduction in fruit and vegetable consumption, and a larger increase in sugary and salty snacks when compared to males. A higher reduction in exercise, sleep, and fruit and vegetable intake were the main drivers of the unfavorable results seen for Hispanics when compared to Whites. Findings highlight the detrimental behavioral changes during the COVID-19 pandemic and the disproportionate impact on Hispanics and women. These results are valuable to policymakers to identify ways to support those most affected by the pandemic and its potential long-term effects.
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Murillo AG, Gómez G, Durán-Agüero S, Parra-Soto SL, Araneda J, Morales G, Ríos-Castillo I, Carpio-Arias V, Cavagnari BM, Nava-González EJ, Bejarano-Roncancio JJ, Núñez-Martínez B, Cordón-Arrivillaga K, Meza-Miranda ER, Mauricio-Alza S, Landaeta-Díaz L. Dietary Patterns and Dietary Recommendations Achievement From Latin American College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2022.836299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to compare the diet quality of different dietary patterns among college students from Latin American countries, including vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study was conducted including a non- probabilistic sample of university students from 10 countries. University students were invited to participate in the study through social network platforms. Participants were self-reported to have followed a specific dietary pattern; either the Prudent diet, Western diet, Ovo-dairy-vegetarian diet, Fish-vegetarian diet, Strict vegetarian diet (vegan) or other. The last three patterns (vegetarians and vegans) were grouped as following a plant-based diet. A self-assessment survey was used to evaluate healthy eating habits using a questionnaire with values between 1 (do not consume) and 5 (consume) for a total of 9–45 points (higher values represent better eating habits). Unhealthy habits were assessed with nine questions. A total of 4,809 students filled out the questionnaire, and the majority of them were females (73.7%). A high percentage have been in lockdown for more than 5 months and were in lockdown when the survey was released. 74.3% were self-reported to follow a prudent diet, while 11.4% reported following a western dietary pattern and 8.8% a plant-based diet. When compliance with healthy and unhealthy dietary habits was analyzed, although all groups had low compliance, the plant-based diet group (56.09 ± 6.11) performed better than the Western diet group (48.03 ± 5.99). The total diet quality score was significantly higher for plant-based diet followers, who also tended to better achieve the recommendations than omnivorous students, especially the ones following a western diet. These results present evidence that young adults such as college-aged students have unhealthy dietary habits. However, the ones who follow a plant-based diet such as vegetarians and vegans exhibit better scores and healthier dietary conducts.
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