Abstract
BackgroundThis paper is a follow‐up study continuing the COVISTRESS network previous research regarding health‐related determinants.ObjectiveThe aim was to identify the main consequences of COVID‐19 lockdown on Body Mass Index and Perceived Fragility, related to Physical Activity (PA), for different categories of populations, worldwide.DesignThe study design included an online survey, during the first wave of COVID‐19 lockdown, across different world regions.Setting and participantsThe research was carried out on 10 121 participants from 67 countries. The recruitment of participants was achieved using snowball sampling techniques via social networks, with no exclusion criteria other than social media access.Main outcome measures Body Mass Index, Physical Activity, Perceived Fragility and risk of getting infected items were analysed. SPSS software, v20, was used. Significance was set at P < .05.Results Body Mass Index significantly increased during lockdown. For youth and young adults (18‐35 years), PA decreased by 31.25%, for adults (36‐65 years) by 26.05% and for the elderly (over 65 years) by 30.27%. There was a high level of Perceived Fragility and risk of getting infected for female participants and the elderly. Correlations between BMI, Perceived Fragility and PA were identified.Discussion and ConclusionsThe research results extend and confirm evidence that the elderly are more likely to be at risk, by experiencing weight gain, physical inactivity and enhanced Perceived Fragility. As a consequence, populations need to counteract the constraints imposed by the lockdown by being physically active.
Highlights
In previous years, global pandemics have occurred, including COVID-19, with severe consequences for world populations.[1,2] The COVID-19 outbreak effects could be divided into two main areas of analysis
It was emphasized that when examining the degree of association between higher Body Mass Index (BMI) and the need of hospitalization, obesity was acknowledged as predicting a poor clinical prognosis in patients with COVID-19.12,13 Both obesity and underweight are proven to be important health-related risk factors for various pathologies, including COVID-19.9,14 Research established causal mechanisms between overweight/obesity and the risk of developing severe symptoms of COVID-19 in all age groups, especially in the elderly.[15]
This study examined the main consequences of the first lockdown on different outcomes related to Physical Activity as part of an active lifestyle
Summary
Global pandemics have occurred, including COVID-19, with severe consequences for world populations.[1,2] The COVID-19 outbreak effects could be divided into two main areas of analysis. Evidence indicates that increased BMI is highly related to developing severe complications of COVID-19.9 Authors documented a U- shaped infection rate among overweight and underweight elderly,[10] revealing that obesity is implicated in impaired immune responses.[11] It was emphasized that when examining the degree of association between higher BMI and the need of hospitalization, obesity was acknowledged as predicting a poor clinical prognosis in patients with COVID-19.12,13 Both obesity and underweight are proven to be important health-related risk factors for various pathologies, including COVID-19.9,14 Research established causal mechanisms between overweight/obesity and the risk of developing severe symptoms of COVID-19 in all age groups, especially in the elderly.[15] Authors developed a risk prediction model for hospital admission and death rate from coronavirus in large cohort studies, including variables such as age, Body Mass Index, ethnicity, deprivation and a range of comorbidities.[16]. This paper is a follow-up study continuing the COVISTRESS network previous research regarding health-related determinants.
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