Changes in health-related behaviours and mental health in a UK public sample during the first set of COVID-19 public health restrictions

Wilson, Jason, Smith, Lee, Yakkundi, Anita, Jacob, Louis, Martin, Suzanne, Grabovac, Igor, McDermott, Daragh T., López-Bueno, Rubén, Barnett, Yvonne A., Butler, Laurie T., Schuch, Felipe B., Armstrong, Nicola and Tully, Mark A. (2022) Changes in health-related behaviours and mental health in a UK public sample during the first set of COVID-19 public health restrictions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (7). p. 3959. ISSN 1660-4601

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Abstract

Public health restrictions, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, have had potentially wide-ranging, unintended effects on health-related behaviours such as diet and physical activity and also affected mental health due to reduced social interactions. This study explored how health-related behaviours and mental health were impacted in a sample of the UK public during the first set of COVID-19 public health restrictions. Two online surveys were administered in the UK, one within the first three months of the restrictions (Timepoints 1 (T1—involving pre-pandemic recall) and 2/T2) and another ten weeks later (Timepoint 3/T3). Moderate–vigorous physical activity (MVPA), outdoor time, sitting time, screen time and sexual activity were self-reported. Diet was assessed using the Dietary Instrument for Nutrition Education questionnaire. Mental health was measured using the short-form Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and Becks’ Anxiety and Depression Inventories. Differences between timepoints were explored using the Friedman, Wilcoxon signed-rank, McNemar and McNemar–Bowker tests. Two hundred and ninety-six adults (74% under 65 years old; 65% female) provided data across all timepoints. Between T1 and T2, MVPA, time outdoors and sexual activity decreased while sitting, and screen time increased (p < 0.05). Between T2 and T3, saturated fat intake, MVPA, time outdoors, and mental wellbeing increased while sitting, screen time and anxiety symptoms decreased (p < 0.05). This study found that depending on the level of COVID-19 public health restrictions in place, there appeared to be a varying impact on different health-related behaviours and mental health. As countries emerge from restrictions, it is prudent to direct necessary resources to address these important public health issues.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown, health behaviour, UK, longitudinal study, social distancing
Faculty:	COVID-19 Research Collection Faculty of Science & Engineering
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic User
Depositing User:	Symplectic User
Date Deposited:	24 Mar 2022 09:35
Last Modified:	31 May 2022 16:18
URI:	https://arro.anglia.ac.uk/id/eprint/707429

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