Impact of COVID-19 restrictions on mental health and physical activity among LGBQAP and heterosexual adults

Abstract

Abstract Introduction We compared the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on mental health (MH) and physical activity (PA) between US adults who identify as lesbian, gay men, bisexual, queer, asexual, and pansexual (LGBQAP) and heterosexual US adults. Method Participants completed online questionnaires to assess PA and MH. Results No difference in MH was identified between LGBQAP and heterosexual participants prior to lockdown, however LGBQAP participants reported significantly worse mental health during lockdown. No group differences were found in PA, but all participants exhibited a decline in PA during lockdown. Conclusion This study highlights the differential impact of social restrictions on marginalized populations.