ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Obesity continues to be a health concern in the United States, especially among African American (AA) women and those with lower incomes. Cardiovascular diseases are diagnosed at earlier ages in these populations as well. During COVID-19, many supportive services for underserved populations were closed resulting in limited access to healthy dietary choices and exercise. To address these issues, we explored changes in dietary and physical activity habits among older AA women living in public housing communities. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional telephone survey of English-speaking AA women aged ≥55 years who live in public housing communities in central North Carolina. Respondents were asked questions regarding changes to their dietary and exercise habits prior to and after the pandemic. RESULTS: Sixty-one women responded with a mean age of 64.2 years (range 55-83). All responses were asked to compare habits to before the pandemic. Twenty-seven percent (16/61) report eating more healthy;18% (11/61) less healthy;and 55% (33/61) the same. In terms of the amount of food they ate, 25% (15/61) ate more;31% (19/61) ate less;and 44% (27/61) ate the same amount. Those eating more reported doing so due to boredom (8/15);stress/ anxiety (3/15);and due to stay at home orders (4/15). Twenty-one percent (16/ 61) received some of their meals from an outside source such as churches and food pantries;meals were discontinued for 12 women. For snacking frequency, 36% (22/61) report snacking more;21% (13/61) less;and 43% (26/61) the same. Those snacking more often endorsed boredom (8/22);stress/anxiety (2/22);and “because [they are] at home” (6/22). For sugary beverages, 18% (11/61) participants report drinking more;16% (10/61) drinking less;44% (27/ 61) the same;and 21% (13/61) report not drinking sweetened beverages. In terms of exercise, 50% (30/60) report exercising less;3% (2/60) more;and the remaining 47% (28/60) the same amount. Those exercising less note weather (6/30);feeling uncomfortable going to public places (14/30);transportation issues (2/30);stress/anxiety (1/30);and other (18/30). Other responses included chronic medical conditions (8/18). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to before the pandemic, 18% of older AA women in public housing reported they were eating less healthy, with 25% eating more food overall;31% eating less food overall;36% snacking more frequently;and 18% drinking more sugary beverages. For 20%, supplemental meal programs were discontinued, which may have caused them to eat either less food or less healthy options. Further, 50% reported decreased exercise. As the pandemic continues, and services and resources remain limited due to social distancing, these prolonged changes can adversely affect the health of vulnerable populations. There is an urgent need to increase efforts to help older AA women maintain healthy lifestyle habits to help manage their chronic medical conditions.