Lifestyle Behaviour Changes and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study from Turkey

Year 2022, Volume: 2 Issue: 3, 624 - 638, 26.12.2022

Neda Yousefirad Fatma Elif Sezer Merve Pehlivan Fatmanur Özyürek Hande Bakırhan Volkan Özkaya İdil Alpat Hazal Dişlitaş Samur Gülgün Ersoy

https://doi.org/10.56061/fbujohs.1146324

Abstract

This study aims to identify changes in diet, physical activity, sleep duration, and lifestyle behaviors, which are the main determinants of health, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes in nutrition, physical activity, and sleep patterns of 3294 adults (18-65 years old) living in Turkey were examined through an online questionnaire. Evaluation of the periods before and during the pandemic revealed a significant increase in body weight and BMI values in both genders (70.5±15.12 kg, 71.5±15.58 kg, p<0.001, 24.0±4.24 kg/m2, 24.3±4.36 kg/m2 p<0.001, respectively). The mean Mediterranean Diet Adherence Score of the participants was 7.0±2.37, with 25.0% low, 60.5% moderate, 14.5% high-level Mediterranean diet pattern. While it was found that there was a difference across genders, the physical activity duration was less than 30 minutes or 30-45 minutes in the majority of women (80.8%), and 30-45 minutes or more than 45 minutes in the majority of men (68.8%) (p<0.001). The frequency of consumption of all food groups increased significantly compared to the pre-quarantine period (p<0.001). Compared to the pre-quarantine period, the participants' water consumption (46.7%) and sleep duration (44.3%) increased, while their physical activity levels (57.5%) decreased. The results of this study confirm that nutrition and lifestyle behaviors have changed drastically during the pandemic. Based on the relationship between the immune system and nutrition, it is crucial to raise awareness in society about healthy, adequate, and balanced nutrition and a physically active life.

Keywords

body mass index, COVID-19, dietary patterns, nutrition, physical activity

COVID-19 Pandemisi Sırasında Yaşam Tarzı Davranış Değişiklikleri ve Akdeniz Diyetine Uyum: Türkiye'den Kesitsel Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Bu çalışma, COVID-19 pandemisi sırasında sağlığın temel belirleyicileri olan diyet, fiziksel aktivite, uyku süresi ve yaşam tarzı davranışlarındaki değişiklikleri belirlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Türkiye'de yaşayan 3294 yetişkinin (18-65 yaş) beslenme, fiziksel aktivite ve uyku düzenindeki değişiklikler online bir anket aracılığıyla incelenmiştir. Pandemi öncesi ve pandemi sırasındaki dönemler değerlendirildiğinde her iki cinsiyette (70.5±15.12 kg, 71.5±15.58 kg, p<0.001, 24.0±4.24 kg/m2, 24.3±4.36 kg/m2 p<0.001, sırasıyla) vücut ağırlığı ve beden kütle indeksi değerlerinde anlamlı artış saptanmıştır. Katılımcıların ortalama Akdeniz Diyeti Uyum Puanı 7.0±2.37 olup, %25,0 düşük, %60,5 orta, %14,5 yüksek düzeyde Akdeniz diyeti örüntüsüne sahiptir. Cinsiyetler arasında fark bulunurken, fiziksel aktivite süresinin kadınların çoğunluğunda (%80,8) 30 dakikadan az veya 30-45 dakika, erkeklerin çoğunluğunda (%68,8) ise 30-45 dakika veya 45 dakikadan fazla olduğu belirlenmiştir (p<0,001). Tüm besin gruplarının tüketim sıklığı karantina öncesine göre anlamlı olarak artış göstermiştir (p<0,001). Karantina öncesi döneme göre katılımcıların su tüketimi (%46,7) ve uyku süreleri (%44,3) artarken, fiziksel aktivite düzeyleri (%57,5) azalmıştır. Bu çalışmanın sonuçları, pandemi sırasında beslenme ve yaşam tarzı davranışlarının büyük ölçüde değiştiğini doğrulamaktadır. Bağışıklık sistemi ve beslenme arasındaki ilişkiye dayanarak, toplumda sağlıklı, yeterli ve dengeli beslenme ve fiziksel olarak aktif bir yaşam hakkında farkındalık yaratmak çok önemlidir.

Keywords

beden kütle indeksi, COVID-19, diyet örüntüleri, beslenme, fiziksel aktivite

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