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BACKGROUND: Peru has one of the highest infection and death rates in the world for the COVID-19 pandemic. The government implemented house confinement measures with probable consequences on lifestyle, particularly affecting eating habits, physical activity, sleep quality, and mental health. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the lifestyles, physical activity, and sleep characteristics, as well as changes in eating habits in a Peruvian population during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed. We analyzed Peruvian adults based on an online self-administered questionnaire divided into sociodemographic, anthropometrics, COVID-19 diagnosis reported, lifestyle habits, and frequency of consumption of foods. RESULTS: During confinement for COVID-19, 1176 participants were studied. Of these, most reported weight gain (1 to 3 kg) and 35.7% were overweight. The lifestyles habits showed that 54.8% reported doing physical activity and 37.2% sleep less. The Peruvian sample presented a main meal pattern of breakfast (95.7%), lunch (97.5%), and dinner (89.1%). Likewise, eating habits before and during COVID-19 pandemic showed that vegetables (OR:1.56, CI95% 1.21-200), fruit (OR: 1.42, CI95% 1.10-1.81), legumes (OR:1.67, CI95% 1.23-2.28), and eggs (OR: 2.00, CI95% 1.52-2.65) presented significant consumption increase during social isolation, while bakery products (OR: 0.74, CI95% 0.56-0.97), meat, snack, refreshment, and fast food decreased in consumption. Other foods showed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: This study showed an important frequency of overweight and sleep changes. There was a slight increase in physical activity despite the social isolation measures and an increase in healthy eating habits; nevertheless, the majority reported gaining weight.
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OBJECTIVES: Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the mental health and diet of populations. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the eating habits and mental health status of the rugby players of the Peruvian pre-selection were affected by the second quarantine of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out through a pre-structured online survey in 74 players, 42 men (56.8%) and 32 women (43.2%). The mean age was 20.5 ± 4.4 years. Participants completed a validated food frequency questionnaire and depression, anxiety, and stress scale-21 (DASS-21). RESULTS: 58.1% of the respondents reported that their dietary intake remained the same or increased. 58.3% of the players experienced anxiety, among which 26.4% reported moderate and severe symptoms. A greater proportion of participants <20 years old reported depression compared to those ⩾20 years (68.6% vs 31.4%, p = 0.010). Those who reported inadequate food intake were more likely to report depressive symptoms (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: These findings reaffirm the need to implement programs of psychological support and nutritional counseling among athletes to reduce negative symptoms and better face mental health and dietary challenges in these times of crisis.
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This study aimed to evaluate changes in dietary and lifestyle habits during the period of confinement due to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ibero-American countries. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted with 6,325 participants of both genders (68% women), over 18 years of age and from five countries: Brazil (N = 2,171), Argentina (N = 1,111), Peru (N = 1,174), Mexico (N = 686), and Spain (N = 1,183). Data were collected during the year 2020, between April 01 and June 30 in Spain and between July 13 and September 26, in the other countries studied using a self-administered online survey designed for the assessment of sociodemographic, employment, physical activity, health status, and dietary habits changes. Most participants (61.6%), mainly those from Spain, remained constant, without improving or worsening their pattern of food consumption. Among those who changed, a pattern of better eating choices prevailed (22.7%) in comparison with those who changed toward less healthy choices (15.7%). Argentina and Brazil showed the highest proportion of changes toward a healthier pattern of food consumption. Peruvians and Mexicans were less likely to make healthy changes in food consumption (OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.4-0.6 and OR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.4-0.8, respectively), when compared to Argentinians. Most respondents did not change their pattern of meal consumption, but those who did reduced their consumption of main meals and increased intake of small meals and snacks. Although most participants affirmed to be doing physical activity at home, about one-half reported perception of weight gain. Individuals with alterations in sleep pattern (either by increasing or decreasing sleep time) were more likely to change their diets to a healthier pattern. In contrast, individuals with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and those who reported feeling anxious were more likely to perform changes to a less healthy eating pattern (OR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.2-2.3 and OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.1-1.4, respectively). In conclusion, although most participants remained constant in their eating habits, lifestyle changes and anxiety feelings were reported. Among those who changed patterns of food consumption, healthier choices prevailed, with differences between countries. However, there were alterations in the distribution of meals, with higher consumption of snacks and small meals. These results can be used to guide policies to prevent deleterious consequences that may affect the incidence of chronic diseases.
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Fundamentos: La obesidad constituye una de las principales preocupaciones sanitarias en los adolescentes. Un nivel de conocimiento suficiente sobre alimentación saludable, puede disminuir los factores de riesgos de esta enfermedad. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la relación existente entre los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre alimentación saludable en una población adolescente de Lima (Perú).Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en 310 adolescentes de edades comprendidas entre 12 a 18 años de una institución educativa. Los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas, se determinaron mediante un cuestionario desarrollado según los criterios propuestos por la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y Alimentación (FAO, por sus siglas en inglés). Se utilizaron tablas de frecuencias y porcentajes. El análisis correlacional se realizó mediante la prueba Rho de Spearman (Rho). Se consideró un grado de significancia del 5%. El análisis de los datos se realizó a través del paquete de software estadístico IBM SPSS. Resultados: El 50,6% presentó conocimientos regulares sobre alimentación saludable. El 87,8% de los participantes demostraron actitudes favorables. De igual manera, la mayor proporción de la muestra (69,1%) demostró prácticas adecuadas sobre alimentación saludable. Se encontró correlación positiva estadísticamente significativa entre los niveles de conocimientos con las actitudes y prácticas de los participantes(rho = 0,197; p = 0,000) y (rho = 0,159; p = 0,005), respectivamente. También, se evidenció que las actitudes están asociadas con los niveles de prácticas (rho = 0,427; p = 0,000).Conclusiones: Los resultados del estudio muestran que los adolescentes presentan niveles de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas favorables con respecto a alimentación saludable, sin embargo, es importante el diseño e implementación de programas de educación nutricional en este grupo etario. (AU)
Background: Obesity is one of the main health concernsin adolescents. A sufficient level of knowledge about healthy eating can reduce the risk factors for this disease. The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between knowledge, attitudes and practices on healthyeating in an adolescent population of Lima (Peru). Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 310adolescents aged between 12 to 18 years from an educational institution. Knowledge, attitudes and practices were determined by means of a questionnaire developed according to the criteria proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).Tables of frequencies and percentages were used. Correlational analysis was performed using Spearman Rhotest. A degree of significance of 5% was considered. Data analysis was performed through the IBM SPSS statistical software package. Results: 50.6% presented regular knowledge about healthy eating. 87.8% of the participants demonstrated favorable attitudes. Similarly, the largest proportion of the sample (69.1%) demonstrated adequate practices on healthy eating. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the levels of knowledge with the attitudes and practices of the participants (rho = 0.197; p =0.000) and (rho = 0.159; p = 0.005), respectively. Also, it was evidenced that attitudes are associated with levels ofpractices (rho = 0.427; p = 0.000). Conclusions: The results of the study show that adolescents present favorable levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding healthy eating, however, the design and implementation of nutritional education programs in this age group is important. (AU)
