Changes In Health Behaviors During A Global Pandemic

There have been four global pandemics since the beginning of twentieth century. Prior to COVID-19 pandemic, research focused on disease origin, role healthcare, economic consequences, and vaccine distribution. However, there is limited about changes in self-reported health behaviors during a pandemic. PURPOSE: To examine difference (diet, physical activity (PA), stress) before as well perceived change behaviors. METHODS: Eight hundred sixty-six subjects (70.8% female; age = 45 ± 3.4) completed 129 item questionnaire Questions were grouped into three categories: 1) Pre-pandemic (PRE) behaviors, 2) Current (POST) 3) Perceived (PC). PRE POST included identical questions for diet (intake/frequency), PA (global (GPAQ)), stress (How would you rate your level stress?), PC likert scale (increased/improved, no change, decreased/worsened) each behavior. The data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0. A paired sample t-test conducted differences POST. Means, standard deviations, frequencies reported PC. RESULTS: Data revealed statistically significant (p < 0.001) with decreases fruit, vegetable, water intake, increases consumption comfort foods. Additionally, decrease meeting recommendations per week 0.032) strength training days 0.005) observed. Subjects also increase pandemic 0.001). Finally, most (41.6%), (56.5%), dietary habits (38.7%). CONCLUSIONS: indicates that negatively affects only perceive negative stress. Therefore, future studies should investigate social demographic characteristics influence perception order better identify support vulnerable populations