Changes in Lifestyle, Food Choices, Sleeping Habits, and Physical Activities during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis of Data after the First Lockdown Period from Three States of India

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a substantial influence on the lifestyle of individuals. This article focuses to investigate the changes in lifestyle behaviour, food choice, sleeping habit, and physical activities that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted and data were captured through a web-based application questionnaire using a convenience sample method among individuals visiting health camps under the mobile healthcare programme conducted by three peripheral institutes of Central Council for Research of Unani Medicine in identified pockets of three different states in India to assess the impact of the COVID-19 induced lockdown on changes in their lifestyle, food preferences, physical activity, and social life among the population. Results: The data were obtained from 1007 cases in total between the age group of 15 and 90 years. The lockdown resulted in an alteration in the lifestyle as manifested by a change in food choices (65.4%), a change in sleeping routine (65.1%), a reduction in physical activity (63.7%), and a change in social life (68.9%) of the participants. A notably increased use of traditional medicine and herbal preparations has been reported by the study participants during the lockdown. Conclusions: Isolation, fear, distress, and social stigma caused various lifestyle changes and psychological problems among people during the first lockdown.