ABSTRACT
Background: During COVID-19, major change occurred in the governmental regulations to combat the pandemic. Lifestyle factors are changeable habits and routine behaviors with an impact on physical and mental health. With the pandemic, sudden and radical changes occurred in the lifestyle of people worldwide. The main purpose of the study is to assess the impact of COVID-19 on lifestyle factors including (dietary habits, physical activity, sleeping patterns, smoking, and alcohol use) among the Saudi population. Design and methods: This is a cross-sectional study on a convenient sample of adults residing in Saudi Arabia. An online survey was distributed via social media channels. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the distribution of demographic variables using Chi-square χ2 tests for categorical variables and t-test for continuous variables. Bowker test, and McNemar's Test were performed to evaluate the effects of lockdown on lifestyle factors. Results: A total of 1051 participants were included in the study. There was a slight decrease in the overall diet score during the pandemic (14.98%) compared to before the pandemic (15.05%) (p-value = 0.02), indicating poorer dietary intake during the lockdown. Approximately one-fourth of the participants (26.1%) reported following specific eating habits or a restricted diet during the pandemic (p-value = 0.0001). There was increased consumption of most components of dietary intake categories, during the lockdown. An increase in physical activities for three or more times was reported. A higher proportion of respondents reported sleeping nine or more hours a day during the lockdown (10.8%). Similarly, a higher percentage of individuals reported smoking daily during the lockdown (12.2%). As of overall health status, higher percentage of respondents reported poor health status during lockdown (6.1%). Conclusion: This study revealed major changes in lifestyle factors, negative shifts were revealed in dietary habits and smoking patterns. Positive changes were shown in physical activity, drinking water, and sleeping patterns. Our findings suggest that COVID-19 played a major role in changing lifestyle factors among adults in Saudi Arabia. Healthcare providers and public health officials are encouraged to increase awareness of healthy lifestyle factors that strengthen the immune system to combat COVID-19. The Saudi population needs increased awareness programs about healthy lifestyles to be prepared during pandemics.
ABSTRACT
Background Physical inactivity has been identified as a major factor in developing and progressing chronic non-communicable diseases such as obesity. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranks high worldwide in rates of obesity. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, public health measures have been enforced. These included social distancing, masking, reduction of workplace daily hours, prevention of social gatherings, and home quarantine measures. These ultimately restricted the ability to perform regular physical health activities. The aim of this study is to understand the impact of COVID-19 on physical activity among adults in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among the Saudi population. An online survey was sent through social media to gather data regarding individual physical activity before and after the start of the COVID-19 restrictions. The data were collected from March 20, 2021, until May 20, 2021, and analyzed using chi-square and paired t-test using the SAS software version 9.4. Results In total, 433 participants completed the survey. There were 183 (42.3%) males, and the majority of the participants were Saudi nationals (284, 65.6%). Most of the participants (181, 41.8%) were in the age group 25-35 years and 253 (58%) had bachelor's degrees. Although the results did not show a statistically significant difference between pre- and post-COVID-19 respondents in terms of physical activity, married participants, participants from the eastern province, and participants who did not exercise regularly were all significantly impacted by lack of exercise compared to their counterparts (p < 0.05). Conclusions Taking measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is essential. Nonetheless, recommendations should be sought for physical activity during lockdowns, and large-scale research should be conducted to better understand what causes the exaggeration of sedentary lifestyles during lockdowns and how to prevent them. Further studies need to be conducted, and national guidelines should be made available in case of a future lockdown.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: As the pandemic started, Saudi Arabia applied extreme measures in responses to the pandemic crises, which have adversely affected individuals' mental health. Therefore, the aim of this study is to describe trends in mental health disorder ED visit before and after the pandemic in two medical centers in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using data from electronic health records in the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs' (MNG-HA) in Saudi Arabia. Multiple logistic regression model was used to examine the age and sex differences in mental health disorder ED visits before and during the COVID19 pandemic. RESULTS: A total of 1117 ED psychiatric visits, a sharp increase in the number of psychiatric ED visits during the pandemic with an average increase of 25.66% was observed. During the pandemic, psychiatric ED visits were significantly higher in females (adjusted AOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.08, 1.83) than males. During the COVID19 pandemic, generalized anxiety disorder was the most common psychiatric ED disorder with reported increase of visits by 53.34% (p-value 0.005). CONCLUSION: ED psychiatric visits have consistently increased before and during the COVID19 pandemic. Interventions for mental health related disorders are urgently needed for preventing mental health problems among females.