ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the effect of a 3-month calorie restriction (CR) without snacking on the anthropometric parameters, Homeostatic Model Assesment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), and lipid profiles of female office workers with overweight or obesity, whose physical activity was limited during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-eight women aged 20-38 years (28.9±5.24) with low physical activity levels were divided into a non-snacking (NS) group (N = 21) and a snacking (S) group (N = 27) prior to the dietary intervention. Their daily energy intake during the intervention was lowered by 30% compared with the baseline level, and the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids and fiber in their diet was increased (to >30 g/day). The proportion of saturated fatty acids and simple carbohydrates was also reduced. The study participants were assessed at the baseline and post-intervention for anthropometric variables (body weight, body fat percentage BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio) and the concentrations of insulin, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Moreover, the values for HOMA-IR, the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), and the ratios of TC/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C were calculated. RESULTS: All anthropometric parameter values obtained post-intervention were lower than the baseline in both groups. The serum insulin concentration and HOMA-IR decreased respectively by an average of 6% and 25% in the NS group and 37% and 45% in the S group. The lipid profiles of all participants improved significantly, with the LDL-C concentration showing a more promising trend in the S group (decrease by 27%) than in the NS group (17%). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that CR improved the anthropometric parameters, HOMA-IR index, and lipid profiles of all participants.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: The fear for health, uncertainty, loss of freedom, boredom, and frustration accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic caused mental health burdens. Young people are particularly at a risk of emotional functioning problems. The aim of this manuscript was to verify the relationships between health behaviors and emotional functioning in health sciences students during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. Patients and Methods: The study group comprised 493 Polish health sciences students (314 women, 179 men) aged 21.5 ± 2.25 years. The intensity of health behaviors was examined using the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was carried out to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression. Stress levels were examined with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). The online versions of psychological scales were created using Google Forms software. Results: Mild anxiety symptoms were observed in 21% of examined students and moderate-to-severe in 28%. Mild depressive symptoms were observed in 14% of the study group, and 8% of the examined students suffered from moderate-to-severe depression. The mean perceived stress result was high (22.2 ± 4.1 pts.). The overall intensity of health behavior was, at the mean level, significantly higher in females compared to males. The odds of developing severe symptoms in terms of anxiety, depression, and stress in students with high levels of health-related behaviors were respectively: four times, more than seven times, and nine times lower compared to students with lower levels of these behaviors. Conclusion: Undertaking regular pro-health behavior decreased the odds of developing severe symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress in health sciences students during the COVID-19 pandemic.