The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle-related behaviours in Turkey: A web-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions imposed to eradicate it have affected healthy lifestyle-related behaviours.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of COVID-19 on lifestyle-related behaviours.

Methods: This cross-sectional web-based survey research was performed with a convenience sample of 1020 adults residing in Turkey. Data were collected with self-report data collection tools on 8-28 April 2021: a sociodemographic characteristics form and the impact of COVID-19 on lifestyle-related behaviours questionnaire.

Results: Eating behaviours, physical activity and sleep patterns of the participants were negatively affected during COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.001). More than half of the participants experienced weight gain during the pandemic. Also, stress levels and smoking increased (p < 0.01). The participants reported having changes in their lifestyles most frequently due to the fear of COVID-19 infection, stress, decreased motivation, closure of the facilities for social and sports activities and increased food prices. Predictors of lifestyle-related behaviours were found to be education (β = .189), income (β = -.101), residing in a village (β = .113) and the presence of a chronic disease (β = .075) (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: During the pandemic, COVID-19-related restrictions should be applied whilst taking account of both social distancing measures and maintenance of healthy lifestyle-related behaviours. Nurses should offer counselling for maintenance of healthy lifestyle-related behaviours.

Keywords: COVID-19; eating behaviour; lifestyle-related behaviours; nursing; physical activity.