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First lockdown ‘led to less healthy lifestyle for many’


By PA News

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People drank more alcohol, ate less fruit and vegetables, and took less exercise during the UK’s first lockdown, according to research.

The study by the University of East Anglia suggests that young people, women and those who are overweight were most likely to adopt unhealthy behaviours.

More than 1,000 participants signed up to a daily lifestyle survey in April last year and answered questions for three months.

Analysis indicated that people drank more alcohol in total, with women consuming it more frequently but men drinking in greater quantities per occasion.

The study found that people drank more alcohol in total, with women consuming it more frequently but men drinking in greater quantities per occasion (Jane Barlow/PA)
The study found that people drank more alcohol in total, with women consuming it more frequently but men drinking in greater quantities per occasion (Jane Barlow/PA)

People ate on average one portion less of fruit and veg per day during the lockdown, the study indicated.

There was a 20% reduction in days where participants were doing 30 minutes or more moderate to vigorous physical activity, according to the research, but some people increased their strength training.

Dr Felix Naughton, of the UEA School of Health Sciences, said: “We found that participants were doing significantly less exercise.

“Our figures show that, overall, there was a 20% reduction in days where participants were doing 30 minutes or more moderate to vigorous physical activity.

“But interestingly people did report that they were doing a bit more strength training – with a 15% increase in strength training per week.

“We found that those groups most at risk of Covid-19 were undertaking the least activity.

“We know that exercise helps improve immune function and could contribute to an increase in deconditioning and functional decline, particularly among older people – so the fact that those who are most at risk of being severely affected by Covid-19 were doing the least exercise is a worry.

“We recognise that social distancing and shielding can make exercise more difficult, so finding ways around this is important.”

It is critical now that we reflect on these changes so that we can advise people of how best to protect their health for any future lockdowns
Professor Caitlin Notley, University of East Anglia

On the issue of people drinking more alcohol, Dr Naughton said: “We found that being a key worker, older and male was associated with a greater number of drinks consumed on a typical day’s drinking, and consuming alcohol on a greater number of days was associated with being older and female.”

Professor Caitlin Notley, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “Our findings indicate that, on average, people’s health behaviours worsened in the early stages of the UK’s Covid-19 pandemic measures.

“It’s not surprising that restrictions on movement outside the house and difficulty getting groceries in the early days of lockdown may have led to a less healthy lifestyle for many.

“It is critical now that we reflect on these changes so that we can advise people of how best to protect their health for any future lockdowns.”

– The study, Health Behaviour Change During The UK Covid-19 Lockdown: Findings From The First Wave Of The C-19 Health Behaviour And Wellbeing Daily Tracker Study, is published in the British Journal of Health Psychology.

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