Effects of home quarantine during COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity and dietary habits of adults in Saudi Arabia.

Public health endorsements during the present COVID-19 pandemic has led the governments of largely affected countries to imply policies that restrict social mobility to slow COVID-19 spread. The study aimed to explore the effects of COVID-19 home quarantine on lifestyle and health behavior of Saudi residents. An online survey in Saudi Arabia was launched from May 11 to June 6, 2020. The survey was designed by multidisciplinary scientists and academics uploaded and shared through the Google platform in Arabic and English languages. Questions presented related to responses "before" and "during" COVID-19 home quarantine. A total of 1965 respondents participated and were included in the analysis [921 (47.0%) males and 1044 (53.0%) females]. Non-Saudis were more likely to increase their physical activity during quarantine [odds ratio (95% confidence interval 1.41 (1.11-1.79); p < 0.005]. Prevalence of participants walking daily for more than 4 times per week significantly decreased during pandemic (before vs during, 30.5% vs 29.1%) which was in parallel to the significant increase in the prevalence of participants who did not perform daily walking during the quarantine (21% vs 22.9%; p < 0.001). The prevalence of participants who often consume snacks between meals increased during quarantine (27.4% vs 29.4%, p < 0.001), while the prevalence of participants who never consumed fresh fruits and vegetables significantly increased during home quarantine (2.4% vs 3.7%; p = 0.019). The lockdown imposed in Saudi Arabia modestly but significantly impacted physical activity and dietary behaviors of several citizens and residents in an unhealthy way. Interventions to alleviate these acute adverse lifestyle behaviors during pandemic should be formulated.

Psychological well-being during COVID-19 lockdown: Insights from a Saudi State University's Academic Community.

OBJECTIVES: Measures to control the on-going COVID-19 pandemic such as quarantine and social distancing, together with information overload about the sporadic spread of the disease have negatively impacted many individuals' mental and psychosocial health. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of self-reported mental health parameters and the coping mechanisms of employees and students in a Saudi State University. METHODS: An online survey in both Arabic and English was launched targeting students, staff and faculty of King Saud University from May 11 to June 6, 2020, the peak of Saudi Arabia's nationwide lockdown. A total of 1542 respondents (726 males and 816 females) aged 20-65 years old participated. RESULTS: Majority of the respondents claimed to have suffered from anxiety (58.1%), depression (50.2%) and insomnia (32.2%) during the lockdown. On average, 65.3% respondents agreed that family bond strengthened during lockdown. Those in the highest quartile of family bonding score (Q4) were 41% [odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.59 (0.39-0.87), p < 0.001] and 59% [OR 0.41 (CI 0.27-0.64), p < 0.001] were less likely to be anxious and depressed, respectively, even after adjusting for covariates. This independent and significant inverse association was more apparent in females than males. CONCLUSION: Self-reported acute mental health disorders were common within the academic community during the COVID-19 lockdown. Strength of family bonding as a coping mechanism was instrumental in preserving mental well-being, especially in females.