Way of life Modifications Related to COVID-19 Quarantine Amongst Younger Saudi Girls: A Potential Research

Plus one. 2021, April 29; 16 (4): e0250625. doi: 10.1371 / journal.pone.0250625. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Negative lifestyle behaviors are linked to an increased risk of adverse outcomes from coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This study aimed to prospectively evaluate lifestyle changes that affect weight, sleep, mental health, physical activity, and eating habits from before COVID-19 to during lockdown.

METHODS: A total of 297 Saudi women aged 19 to 30 years (mean age 20.7 ± 1.4 years) were interviewed at two time points before and during the quarantine. The data collected included anthropometry, sociodemographic data, clinical history, food frequency questionnaire responses, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) responses, and Perceived Stress Scale measures. In addition, COVID-19 and nutritional information as well as the results of Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were collected during the quarantine. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine the indicators of weight gain and loss from before COVID-19 (baseline) to during lockdown.

Results: Although approximately half of the participants reported no change in weight, 30% showed weight loss and 18% weight gain. The variables associated with increased weight gain were self-quarantine since the onset of COVID-19 (OR: 5.17, 95% CI: 1.57-17.01, p = 0.007), age (OR: 1.53, 1.03 -2.28, p = 0.04) and voltage at the beginning and during the blocking (OR: 1.15, 1.03-1.29, p = 0.01; OR: 1.10, 1.01- 1.19, p = 0.03). The variables associated with a reduced risk of weight gain were GPAQ during lockout (OR: 0.16, 0.04-0.66, p = 0.01), coffee consumption (OR: 0.36, 0, 19-0.67, p = 0.01) and total sleep time (OR: 0.70, 0.51-0.97, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION: While most young Saudi women experienced no weight change during the COVID-19 lockdown, a third gained weight and a significant proportion gained. Weight-related factors such as stress, hours of sleep, physical activity, and coffee consumption underscore the need to carefully consider the people at risk in future circumstances that may require lockdown. These factors could also help implement guidelines for future lockdowns and aid those most at risk of weight gain.

PMID: 33914800 | DOI: 10.1371 / journal.pone.0250625