Dietary habits and weight change during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among the Egyptian population
Abstract Background The pandemic of coronavirus disease–19 (COVID-19) has a profound influence on the health of the population. This study aimed to assess the weight changes and its relation to the dietary habits and physical activity among adult Egyptian population during the second wave of COVID-1...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-024-00977-0 |
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| author | Samar Abd ElHafeez Yasmine Amr Issa Samar Tharwat Ahmed Yahia Elmowafy Karem Mohamed Salem Noha Gaber Amin Mohammed Kamal Nassar Ramy Ghazy Mohamed |
| author_facet | Samar Abd ElHafeez Yasmine Amr Issa Samar Tharwat Ahmed Yahia Elmowafy Karem Mohamed Salem Noha Gaber Amin Mohammed Kamal Nassar Ramy Ghazy Mohamed |
| author_sort | Samar Abd ElHafeez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The pandemic of coronavirus disease–19 (COVID-19) has a profound influence on the health of the population. This study aimed to assess the weight changes and its relation to the dietary habits and physical activity among adult Egyptian population during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods This cross–sectional study was conducted using anonymous online questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed across Egypt via community–based networks, social and institutional emailing lists, and professional organizations to collect data on sociodemographic, clinical history, dietary and lifestyle habits, physical activity, anthropometric measurements, and stressing factors. Results The study participants (n = 1000) had a median (interquartile range) age of 34.0 (23.0–40.0) years, with 18.7% males, 96.6% having university or postgraduate education. Among them, 69.1% reported weight gain, 21.3% no change, and 9.6% weight loss. Weight loss was predicted by following COVID-19 pandemic reports daily [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.50 (95% CI, 0.27–0.93), p = 0.03], monthly income change [AOR = 2.52 (95% CI, 1.51–4.22), p < 0.001], starting antidepressants [AOR = 3.57 (95% CI, 1.08–11.76), p = 0.03], and increase in social media use [AOR = 1.81 (95% CI, 1.05–3.13), p = 0.03]. Weight gain was predicted by starting a diet during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic [AOR = 1.57 (95% CI, 1.11–2.21), p = 0.01], physical activity during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic [AOR = 0.49 (95% CI, 0.35–0.69), p < 0.001], and unhealthy food intake [AOR = 0.40 (95% CI, 0.28–0.57), p < 0.001] Conclusions More intervention programs aiming to improve dietary habits and increase physical activity should be rapidly implemented to reduce the consequences of the pandemic on the Egyptians to keep healthy weight. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-44841330b5d2433c9ff6f4ec57ff39d5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2055-0928 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-44841330b5d2433c9ff6f4ec57ff39d52025-01-12T12:11:23ZengBMCBMC Nutrition2055-09282025-01-0111111110.1186/s40795-024-00977-0Dietary habits and weight change during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among the Egyptian populationSamar Abd ElHafeez0Yasmine Amr Issa1Samar Tharwat2Ahmed Yahia Elmowafy3Karem Mohamed Salem4Noha Gaber Amin5Mohammed Kamal Nassar6Ramy Ghazy Mohamed7Epidemiology Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria UniversityMedical Biochemistry, Basic Medical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Arab Academy of Science, Technology and Maritime TransportRheumatology & Immunology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura UniversityNephrology Unit, Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura UniversityDepartment of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum UniversityDepartment of Internal Medicine, Diabetes, lipidology & metabolism unit, Alexandria Faculty of Medicine, University of AlexandriaMansoura Nephrology & Dialysis Unit (MNDU), Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura UniversityTropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria UniversityAbstract Background The pandemic of coronavirus disease–19 (COVID-19) has a profound influence on the health of the population. This study aimed to assess the weight changes and its relation to the dietary habits and physical activity among adult Egyptian population during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods This cross–sectional study was conducted using anonymous online questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed across Egypt via community–based networks, social and institutional emailing lists, and professional organizations to collect data on sociodemographic, clinical history, dietary and lifestyle habits, physical activity, anthropometric measurements, and stressing factors. Results The study participants (n = 1000) had a median (interquartile range) age of 34.0 (23.0–40.0) years, with 18.7% males, 96.6% having university or postgraduate education. Among them, 69.1% reported weight gain, 21.3% no change, and 9.6% weight loss. Weight loss was predicted by following COVID-19 pandemic reports daily [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.50 (95% CI, 0.27–0.93), p = 0.03], monthly income change [AOR = 2.52 (95% CI, 1.51–4.22), p < 0.001], starting antidepressants [AOR = 3.57 (95% CI, 1.08–11.76), p = 0.03], and increase in social media use [AOR = 1.81 (95% CI, 1.05–3.13), p = 0.03]. Weight gain was predicted by starting a diet during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic [AOR = 1.57 (95% CI, 1.11–2.21), p = 0.01], physical activity during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic [AOR = 0.49 (95% CI, 0.35–0.69), p < 0.001], and unhealthy food intake [AOR = 0.40 (95% CI, 0.28–0.57), p < 0.001] Conclusions More intervention programs aiming to improve dietary habits and increase physical activity should be rapidly implemented to reduce the consequences of the pandemic on the Egyptians to keep healthy weight.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-024-00977-0Dietary habitsEgyptiansCOVID-19 pandemicWeight changesStressors |
| spellingShingle | Samar Abd ElHafeez Yasmine Amr Issa Samar Tharwat Ahmed Yahia Elmowafy Karem Mohamed Salem Noha Gaber Amin Mohammed Kamal Nassar Ramy Ghazy Mohamed Dietary habits and weight change during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among the Egyptian population BMC Nutrition Dietary habits Egyptians COVID-19 pandemic Weight changes Stressors |
| title | Dietary habits and weight change during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among the Egyptian population |
| title_full | Dietary habits and weight change during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among the Egyptian population |
| title_fullStr | Dietary habits and weight change during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among the Egyptian population |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dietary habits and weight change during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among the Egyptian population |
| title_short | Dietary habits and weight change during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among the Egyptian population |
| title_sort | dietary habits and weight change during the second wave of the covid 19 pandemic among the egyptian population |
| topic | Dietary habits Egyptians COVID-19 pandemic Weight changes Stressors |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-024-00977-0 |
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