Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the lifestyle habits, anxiety levels and basic psychological needs (BPN), in Portuguese adults during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including a comparison between genders and age groups. In total, 1404 adults (36.4 ± 11.7 years; 69.6% female) answered sociodemographic data and three instruments: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Basic Need General Satisfaction Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Males revealed higher values for the total energy expenditure (z = −2.26; p = 0.024; = 0.004) and for the level of satisfaction of competence (z = −2.62; p = 0.009; = 0.005). Females showed higher scores for the anxiety state (z = −7.87; p ≤ 0.001; = 0.044) and anxiety trait (z = −6.49; p ≤ 0.001; = 0.030). Regarding age, higher values for the anxiety trait (p ≤ 0.001; = 0.030) were found in the 18–34 years-old group compared to all the other age groups, also presenting significantly higher values of total energy expenditure (χ² = 13.93; p = 0.008; = 0.007) when compared to the 35–44 years-old group. Significant differences were observed between the 18–34 years-old group and the other age groups for the satisfaction of competence (χ² = 40.97; p ≤ 0.001; = 0.026), except for the >65 years-old group. Strategies for promoting well-being during periods of social isolation should consider the role of psychological dimensions and lifestyle habits according to the gender or age group.

Highlights

  • The new Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019

  • As a period of social confinement is necessary for the protection of community health, it is important to understand people’s lifestyle habits during this time

  • The definition and effectiveness of intervention strategies for promoting the quality of life and well-being during periods of social isolation could be enhanced by considering the role of psychological dimensions and lifestyle habits according to the gender or age group

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Summary

Introduction

The new Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019. It was declared by the World Health Organization [1] as a public health emergency of international concern on 30 January 2020. On 11 April 2020, it was declared a pandemic [2]. Considering that this virus spreads out worldwide among humans at an exponential rate, several countries have adopted prevention measures. These measures included the restriction of the free. Public Health 2020, 17, 4360; doi:10.3390/ijerph17124360 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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