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The UK Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and diet, physical activity, and sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from eight longitudinal population surveys.
Wielgoszewska, Bozena; Maddock, Jane; Green, Michael J; Di Gessa, Giorgio; Parsons, Sam; Griffith, Gareth J; Croft, Jazz; Stevenson, Anna J; Booth, Charlotte; Silverwood, Richard J; Bann, David; Patalay, Praveetha; Hughes, Alun D; Chaturvedi, Nishi; Howe, Laura D; Fitzsimons, Emla; Katikireddi, Srinivasa Vittal; Ploubidis, George B.
  • Wielgoszewska B; Centre for Longitudinal Studies, UCL Social Research Institute, University College, London, UK.
  • Maddock J; MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London, UK. jane.maddock@ucl.ac.uk.
  • Green MJ; MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
  • Di Gessa G; Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK.
  • Parsons S; Centre for Longitudinal Studies, UCL Social Research Institute, University College, London, UK.
  • Griffith GJ; MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
  • Croft J; MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
  • Stevenson AJ; Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
  • Booth C; Centre for Longitudinal Studies, UCL Social Research Institute, University College, London, UK.
  • Silverwood RJ; Centre for Longitudinal Studies, UCL Social Research Institute, University College, London, UK.
  • Bann D; Centre for Longitudinal Studies, UCL Social Research Institute, University College, London, UK.
  • Patalay P; Centre for Longitudinal Studies, UCL Social Research Institute, University College, London, UK.
  • Hughes AD; MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London, UK.
  • Chaturvedi N; MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London, UK.
  • Howe LD; MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London, UK.
  • Fitzsimons E; Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK.
  • Katikireddi SV; Centre for Longitudinal Studies, UCL Social Research Institute, University College, London, UK.
  • Ploubidis GB; MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
BMC Med ; 20(1): 147, 2022 04 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1968577
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

In March 2020, the UK implemented the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) to minimise job losses. Our aim was to investigate associations between furlough and diet, physical activity, and sleep during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS:

We analysed data on 25,092 participants aged 16-66 years from eight UK longitudinal studies. Changes in employment, including being furloughed, were based on employment status before and during the first lockdown. Health behaviours included fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, and sleep. Study-specific estimates obtained using modified Poisson regression, adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and pre-pandemic health and health behaviours, were statistically pooled using random effects meta-analysis. Associations were also stratified by sex, age, and education.

RESULTS:

Across studies, between 8 and 25% of participants were furloughed. Compared to those who remained working, furloughed workers were slightly less likely to be physically inactive (RR = 0.85; [95% CI 0.75-0.97]; I 2 = 59%) and did not differ overall with respect to low fruit and vegetable consumption or atypical sleep, although findings for sleep were heterogenous (I 2 = 85%). In stratified analyses, furlough was associated with lower fruit and vegetable consumption among males (RR = 1.11; [1.01-1.22]; I 2 = 0%) but not females (RR = 0.84; [0.68-1.04]; I 2 = 65%). Considering changes in quantity, furloughed workers were more likely than those who remained working to report increases in fruit and vegetable consumption, exercise, and hours of sleep.

CONCLUSIONS:

Those furloughed exhibited similar health behaviours to those who remained in employment during the initial stages of the pandemic. There was little evidence to suggest that adoption of such social protection policies in the post-pandemic recovery period and during future economic crises had adverse effects on population health behaviours.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pandemics / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials / Reviews Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: BMC Med Journal subject: Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12916-022-02343-y

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pandemics / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials / Reviews Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: BMC Med Journal subject: Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12916-022-02343-y