The Role of Physical Activity in the Reduction of Generalised Anxiety Disorder in Young Adults in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic.

Physical activity is critically important not only for physical but also for mental health. Exercise may be a beneficial form of therapy for young adults with anxiety disorders. The global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the public, including young adults, in terms of their mental well-being and opportunities for physical activity. The study aimed to identify the influence of physical activity (PA) on generalised anxiety in young adults. It also assessed the changes which occurred in the level of PA and in generalised anxiety in young adults as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey was carried out online with 506 young adults aged 18 to 34 years (=24.67 years ± 4.23 years). Respondents provided two answers to each question, i.e., information relating to the last 7 days during the pandemic (first hard lockdown), and to a period of 7 days before the pandemic (retrospective). The levels of physical activity were measured using 7-item International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), whereas the level of generalised anxiety was assessed using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) questionnaire. During the pandemic there was a significant correlation between the level of generalised anxiety and the level of physical activity reported by the respondents (p = 0.048). A higher level of physical activity corresponded to lower level of generalized anxiety in young adults. During the pandemic, young adults spent significantly less time performing physical activity (8752.5 vs. 6174.6 metabolic equivalents (MET) min/week, p < 0.001), they spent more time engaging in sedentary behaviours (Me = 240 vs. Me = 300 min/day, p < 0.001), and they walked much less (from Me = 6930.0 (MET) min/week vs. 3861.0 (MET) min/week (44.29% decrease). Furthermore, after the outbreak of the pandemic the level of perceived generalised anxiety increased significantly (p < 0.001). Physical activity may play an important role in reducing anxiety disorder in young adults. During the COVID-19 pandemic young adults were significantly less involved in PA, which adversely affected their physical and mental condition. The importance of sufficient PA should be emphasised during this specific period, particularly among young adults.

Consumption of selected food products by adults representing various body mass categories, during Covid-19 lockdown in Poland.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to assess consumption of selected food products by adults with a range of body mass before and during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as identify factors impacting the consumption of selected foods. METHODS: The study was conducted in a group of 690 subjects during the most severe lockdown due to Covid-19 in Poland ([Formula: see text] = 23 years of age). The dietary assessment was carried out by means of an online survey based on the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ-6). The respondents were asked to provide two answers to each question, one covering a 7-day period before the lockdown and one related to a 7-day period during the lockdown. RESULTS: During lockdown in the study group there was increase in consumption of sweets and snacks (p = 0.010), grain products (p = 0.050), fat (p = 0.007) as well as alcohol (p < 0.001). During the lockdown respondents with normal BMI increased consumption of sweets and snacks (p = 0.011), dairy products and eggs (p = 0.034), grain products (p = 0.029) and alcohol (p = 0.00). The group of overweight respondents was found to consume significantly more alcohol (p = 0.022), while those with obesity tended to consume more meat (p = 0.002), fish (p < 0.001) and lower amounts of dairy products (p = 0.003). The factors which affected intake of selected food products include age, smoking, place of residence, obesity and education. CONCLUSIONS: Covid-19 pandemic is significantly related to the change in the frequency of intake of selected products by all adults, irrespective of their BMI. The adverse changes were particularly observed in respondents with overweight and obesity.

The Prevalence of ''Food Addiction'' during the COVID-19 Pandemic Measured Using the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS 2.0) among the Adult Population of Poland.

The announcement of the coronavirus pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), ongoing restrictions and isolation led to a break with the daily routine, and suspension of social contacts, but also imposed new challenges on the population related to maintaining healthy eating habits. The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of "food addiction" (FA) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland in relation to several variables including depression. The method of analysis was a questionnaire containing original questions and the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS). A total of 1022 Polish residents aged 18-75 participated in the study (N = 1022; 93.7% women, 6.3% men). The prevalence of FA during the COVID-19 pandemic measured with the YFAS 2.0 scale was 14.1%. The average weight gain during the pandemic in 39% of respondents was 6.53 kg. Along with the increase in the value of the BMI index, the intensity of "food addiction" increased in the study group. People with depression had statistically significantly more FA symptoms than healthy people. This work may motivate future research to evaluate the association and potential overlap of "food addiction" and problem eating behaviors during the pandemic and the obesity problem.

COVID-19: A New Challenge for Pulmonary Rehabilitation?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), currently one of the immense burdens for global healthcare, is often characterized by rapid progression and the occurrence of symptoms particularly affecting the respiratory system. Continuous refinement of treatment protocols improves prognosis; however, COVID-19 survivors are often left with the symptomatic burden of dyspnea and fatigue. Therefore, it is necessary to continue comprehensive treatment including pulmonary rehabilitation. This study aimed to review the available literature on pulmonary rehabilitation in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The pulmonary rehabilitation programs implemented various forms, i.e., aerobic exercise, breathing exercises, effective cough exercises, diaphragmatic breathing, and respiratory muscle training. Based on the literature review, it was found that pulmonary rehabilitation programs result in an improvement of respiratory function, reduction of fatigue and dyspnea, and improvement in exercise endurance and quality of life after completing both short-term and long-term programs, but depression and anxiety problems did not improve. Pulmonary rehabilitation combined with psychological therapy is crucial for COVID-19 survivors and plays a substantial role in patients' recovery.

Health behaviours of young adults during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic - a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has created a number of obstacles to daily functioning, which have led to a need for major changes in lifestyles. The aim of the study was to assess whether and to what extent the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the health behaviours of young adults. METHODS: 506 people aged 18 to 34 ([Formula: see text] =24.67 years ±4.23 years) who filled in an online survey were qualified for the study. Assessment was made of eating habits (a modified Food Frequency Questionnaire, FFQ), physical activity and sedentary behaviours (International Physical Activity Questionnaire, short form IPAQ-SF), sleep quality (The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), and generalized anxiety (Generalized anxiety Disorder, 7-item, GAD-7 scale). RESULTS: During the pandemic, young adults changed their dietary preferences toward sweets and cereal products, increased alcohol (p < 0.001) and fat (p = 0.005) intake, significantly reduced their physical activity (from 8752.5 metabolic equivalents (MET) min/week vs. 6174.6 MET min/week, p < 0.001), increased the time spent sedentarily (Me = 240 min vs. Me = 360 min, p < 0.001) and had decreased sleep quality (PSQI score Me = 7.00 vs. Me = 9.00). CONCLUSIONS: The Covid-19 pandemic worsened health behaviours and intensified the feeling of generalized anxiety in young adults. Generalized anxiety during obligatory lockdown had the greatest negative impact on sedentary behaviours and sleep quality.