Physical and Psychological Effects Related to Food Habits and Lifestyle Changes Derived from Covid-19 Home Confinement in the Spanish Population

• Main Authors: Miguel López-Moreno, Maria Teresa Iglesias López, Marta Miguel, Marta Garcés-Rimón
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-11-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: COVID-19; food intake; lifestyle; emotional eating; home confinement; lockdown
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/11/3445

As a consequence of COVID-19, millions of households have suffered mobility restrictions and changes in their lifestyle over several months. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 home confinement on the food habits, lifestyle and emotional balance of the Spanish population. This cross-sectional study used data collected via an anonymous online questionnaire during the month before lockdown finished in Spain, with a total of 675 participants. 38.8% of the respondents experienced weight gain while 31.1% lost weight during confinement. The increase in body weight was positively correlated with age (Rs = 0.14, <i>p</i> < 0.05) and BMI (Rs = 0.20, <i>p</i> < 0.05). We also identified that 39.7% reported poorer quality sleep, positively correlated with BMI (Rs = −0.18, <i>p</i> < 0.05) and with age (Rs = −0.21, <i>p</i> < 0.05). 44.7% of the participants had not performed physical exercise during confinement with differences by sex (<i>p</i> < 0.05), by age (<i>p</i> < 0.05), by BMI (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and by sleep quality (<i>p</i> < 0.05). According to an emotional-eater questionnaire, 21.8% and 11% were classified as an emotional eater or a very emotional eater, respectively. We emphasize the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, as the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing.