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Indirect Health Effects of COVID-19: Unhealthy Lifestyle Behaviors during the Lockdown in the United Arab Emirates

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Listed:
  • Hadia Radwan

    (Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Research Institute of Medical & Health Sciences (RIMHS), College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Mahra Al Kitbi

    (Health Promotion Department, Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Hayder Hasan

    (Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Research Institute of Medical & Health Sciences (RIMHS), College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Marwa Al Hilali

    (Clinical Nutrition Department, Al Qassimi Hospital-Ministry of Health and Prevention, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Nada Abbas

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon)

  • Rena Hamadeh

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon)

  • Eman Rashid Saif

    (Health Promotion Department, Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Farah Naja

    (Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Research Institute of Medical & Health Sciences (RIMHS), College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
    Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon)

Abstract

Background : Lockdown measures were implemented in many countries to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, such restrictions could precipitate unintended negative consequences on lifestyle behaviors. The main objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and determinants of unhealthy behavior changes during the COVID-19 lockdown among residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods : A cross-sectional web-based survey of adults residing in the UAE was carried out during lockdown (n = 2060). Using a multi-component questionnaire, the collected data included questions regarding the following lifestyle changes: Increased dietary intake, increased weight, decreased physical activity, decreased sleep, and increased smoking. An unhealthy lifestyle change score was calculated based on the number of unhealthy lifestyle changes each participant reported. In addition, sociodemographic and living conditions information was collected. Descriptive statistics as well as simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the prevalence and determinants of the unhealthy lifestyle changes considered in this study. Results : Among the unhealthy lifestyle changes examined, increased food intake was the most common (31.8%), followed by decreased physical activity (30%), increased weight (29.4%), decreased sleep (20.8%), and increased smoking (21%). In addition to identifying the correlates of each of the aforementioned lifestyle changes, the results of the multiple regression linear analyses revealed the following correlates for the overall unhealthy lifestyle change score: females (β = 0.32, CI: 0.22; 0.42), living in an apartment (β = 0.12, CI: 0.003; 0.23) and being overweight/obese (β = 0.24, CI: 0.15; 0.32) had higher scores, while older adults (>40 years) had lower scores (β = −0.23, CI: −0.34; −0.12). Conclusions : The COVID-19 lockdown has resulted in a high prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and practices among UAE residents. The findings of this study provided the evidence base for officials to design interventions targeting high-risk groups and aiming to improve healthy lifestyle factors among residents during the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Hadia Radwan & Mahra Al Kitbi & Hayder Hasan & Marwa Al Hilali & Nada Abbas & Rena Hamadeh & Eman Rashid Saif & Farah Naja, 2021. "Indirect Health Effects of COVID-19: Unhealthy Lifestyle Behaviors during the Lockdown in the United Arab Emirates," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-22, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1964-:d:501169
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fadi G. Mirza & Muna A. Tahlak & Komal Hazari & Amar Hassan Khamis & William Atiomo, 2023. "Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome amongst Females Aged between 15 and 45 Years at a Major Women’s Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-10, May.
    2. Yasir Abbasi & Marie-Claire Van Hout & Mohamed Faragalla & Lynn Itani, 2022. "Knowledge and Use of Electronic Cigarettes in Young Adults in the United Arab Emirates, Particularly during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Chiara Ceolin & Federica Limongi & Paola Siviero & Caterina Trevisan & Marianna Noale & Filippo Catalani & Silvia Conti & Elisa Di Rosa & Elena Perdixi & Francesca Remelli & Federica Prinelli & Stefan, 2024. "Changes in Sleep Duration and Sleep Timing in the General Population from before to during the First COVID-19 Lockdown: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(5), pages 1-45, May.
    4. Célia Landmann Szwarcwald & Deborah Carvalho Malta & Marilisa Berti de Azevedo Barros & Paulo Roberto Borges de Souza Júnior & Dália Romero & Wanessa da Silva de Almeida & Giseli Nogueira Damacena & A, 2021. "Associations of Sociodemographic Factors and Health Behaviors with the Emotional Well-Being of Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-13, June.
    5. Alice Freiberg & Melanie Schubert & Karla Romero Starke & Janice Hegewald & Andreas Seidler, 2021. "A Rapid Review on the Influence of COVID-19 Lockdown and Quarantine Measures on Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the General Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-46, August.
    6. Haleama Al Sabbah & Zainab Taha & Radwan Qasrawi & Enas A. Assaf & Leila Cheikh Ismail & Ayesha S. Al Dhaheri & Maha Hoteit & Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh & Reema Tayyem & Hiba Bawadi & Majid AlKhalaf & Khlood B, 2022. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical (In)Activity Behavior in 10 Arab Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-15, August.
    7. Alena Zolotareva & Sergei Shchebetenko & Svetlana Belousova & Irina Danilova & Vadim Tseilikman & Maxim Lapshin & Lilia Sarapultseva & Svetlana Makhniova & Maria Sarapultseva & Maria Komelkova & Deshe, 2022. "Big Five Traits as Predictors of a Healthy Lifestyle during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Russian Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-8, August.

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