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Changes in Health-Related Behaviours and Mental Health in a UK Public Sample during the First Set of COVID-19 Public Health Restrictions

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  • Jason J. Wilson

    (Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, School of Sport, Ulster University, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK
    Institute of Mental Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Ulster University, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Lee Smith

    (The Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Anita Yakkundi

    (Northern Ireland Public Health Research Network, School of Health Sciences, Ulster University, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK)

  • Louis Jacob

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
    Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Deu/CIBERSAM, Universitat de Barcelona, Fundacio Sant Joan de Deu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, 08830 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Suzanne Martin

    (Centre for Health and Rehabilitation Technologies, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, School of Health Sciences, Ulster University, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK)

  • Igor Grabovac

    (Centre for Public Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria)

  • Daragh T. McDermott

    (NTU Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK)

  • Rubén López-Bueno

    (Department of Physical Medicine and Nursing, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Yvonne Barnett

    (School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK)

  • Laurie T. Butler

    (Faculty of Science & Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK)

  • Felipe B. Schuch

    (Department of Sports Methods and Techniques, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil)

  • Nicola C. Armstrong

    (Health and Social Care Research & Development Division, Public Health Agency (Northern Ireland), Belfast BT2 8BS, UK)

  • Mark A. Tully

    (School of Medicine, Ulster University, Londonderry BT48 7JL, UK)

Abstract

Public health restrictions, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, have had potentially wide-ranging, unintended effects on health-related behaviours such as diet and physical activity and also affected mental health due to reduced social interactions. This study explored how health-related behaviours and mental health were impacted in a sample of the UK public during the first set of COVID-19 public health restrictions. Two online surveys were administered in the UK, one within the first three months of the restrictions (Timepoints 1 (T1—involving pre-pandemic recall) and 2/T2) and another ten weeks later (Timepoint 3/T3). Moderate–vigorous physical activity (MVPA), outdoor time, sitting time, screen time and sexual activity were self-reported. Diet was assessed using the Dietary Instrument for Nutrition Education questionnaire. Mental health was measured using the short-form Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and Becks’ Anxiety and Depression Inventories. Differences between timepoints were explored using the Friedman, Wilcoxon signed-rank, McNemar and McNemar–Bowker tests. Two hundred and ninety-six adults (74% under 65 years old; 65% female) provided data across all timepoints. Between T1 and T2, MVPA, time outdoors and sexual activity decreased while sitting, and screen time increased ( p < 0.05). Between T2 and T3, saturated fat intake, MVPA, time outdoors, and mental wellbeing increased while sitting, screen time and anxiety symptoms decreased ( p < 0.05). This study found that depending on the level of COVID-19 public health restrictions in place, there appeared to be a varying impact on different health-related behaviours and mental health. As countries emerge from restrictions, it is prudent to direct necessary resources to address these important public health issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Jason J. Wilson & Lee Smith & Anita Yakkundi & Louis Jacob & Suzanne Martin & Igor Grabovac & Daragh T. McDermott & Rubén López-Bueno & Yvonne Barnett & Laurie T. Butler & Felipe B. Schuch & Nicola C., 2022. "Changes in Health-Related Behaviours and Mental Health in a UK Public Sample during the First Set of COVID-19 Public Health Restrictions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:3959-:d:780324
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jacob Meyer & Cillian McDowell & Jeni Lansing & Cassandra Brower & Lee Smith & Mark Tully & Matthew Herring, 2020. "Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Response to COVID-19 and Their Associations with Mental Health in 3052 US Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-13, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Silva, Laura & Bezzo, Franco Bonomi & van Ham, Maarten, 2023. "Covid-19 restrictions: An opportunity to highlight the effect of neighbourhood deprivation on individuals’ health-related behaviours," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 325(C).

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