The impact of Covid-19 on lifestyle and dietary habits during and after lockdown in people with neurological conditions, and their perceptions of how these changes have impacted their physical and mental health: a cross-sectional survey study

Graham, A.-M.C, Bystrom, L.M, Rogers, O, Berwick, Z, Akrane, O, Field, A, Zdrava, D and Coe, S (2024) 'The impact of Covid-19 on lifestyle and dietary habits during and after lockdown in people with neurological conditions, and their perceptions of how these changes have impacted their physical and mental health: a cross-sectional survey study.' Clinical Nutrition Open Science, 57. pp. 109-125.

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutos.2024.07.009

Abstract

Introduction:- Research has shown that the Covid-19 pandemic may have had negative effects on lifestyle factors of people in the UK, however research is limited in terms of the impact on people living with neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s (PD) and spinal cord injury (SCI). This study explores the impact that the pandemic had on mental health and lifestyle factors such as dietary habits, supplement use and exercise in those with MS, PD and SCI. Methods:- A cross-sectional, online, questionnaire study was carried out on a cohort of 134 people in the United Kingdom during the Covid-19 pandemic. Participants completed the questionnaire between June 2021–February 2022. Eligibility criteria included being over the age of 18 years, and declaring having been formally diagnosed with either MS (n=27, female=81%), PD (n=84, female=35%), SCI (n=23, female=61%). Results:- 33% of participants reported an increased consumption of alcohol and 29% a decreased consumption of fruit and vegetables. However, 64% of participants reported no change in diet (p < 0.001). Vitamin D, multivitamin/minerals, probiotic and fish oil were the most commonly consumed supplements by participants. Although intake of any supplement was not significantly impacted by Covid-19 for the total cohort, by condition, and by sex, a generalised linear mixed model indicated SCI participants consumed more supplement types during Covid-19 than before (OR:1.98; 95% CI [1.04, 3.77]). Additionally, 29% of participants reported they contacted their families less than pre-pandemic (p=0.001), and 60% reported they experienced more fatigue since the pandemic. Open-ended questions added quality context to the categorical data. Conclusion:- This study suggests that the impact Covid-19 has had on people with neurological conditions is complex and individual, yet the negative effects may be more pronounced than the general public. Overall, there were changes in lifestyle behaviours, some which may be detrimental to health and life quality in these already vulnerable groups. Therefore, these changes need to be considered in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Item Type: Article
UN SDGs: Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
Keywords: diet, COVID-19, supplement, neurological
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions: School of Sciences
Date Deposited: 19 Aug 2024 16:01
Last Modified: 19 Aug 2024 16:01
ISSN: 2667-2685
URI / Page ID: https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/16393
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