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S. Costi1,2, B. Bressi3
1Azienda USL–IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Scientific Directorate, Reggio Emilia, Italy, 2University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Surgical, Medical and Dental Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, Modena, Italy, 3University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Program in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Modena, Italy
Background: The Sars-Cov-2 pandemic spread quickly in northern Italy from 18 February 2020. Emilia-Romagna ranked third for prevalence among the 20 Italian regions and the Province of Reggio Emilia was one of the most affected in Italy, with roughly 5,000 confirmed cases over a population of 500,000 inhabitants.
To limit the outbreaks of contagion, the Italian government imposed 2 months of complete lock-down (from 8 March 2020 to 4 May 2020), which consisted in the closure of companies, schools and universities and all recreational activities, with the only exception of essential services for health and basic needs (food, energy supplies, etc...). Transfers were not permitted apart from documented strict necessities (e.g. food shopping), health or work reasons. Leaving home for a walk was allowed only on your own and staying in the immediate vicinity (e.g. 200 meters). The government imposed the absolute social isolation for the whole population and, for those positive at Sars-CoV-2, the complete confinement at home.
Thus, individuals re-organized their lifestyles developing coping strategies and behaviors to satisfy their needs, i.e. smart-working, plan physical exercise at home, relaxing, explore new leisure activities. Nevertheless, despite the recommendations for conserving healthy lifestyle of the Italian Government, during the lock-down the likelihood to fall into unhealthy behaviors such as sedentary habits, poor diet, increase of tobacco and alcohol consumption has increased, as a response to routine disruption and home confinement.
To limit the outbreaks of contagion, the Italian government imposed 2 months of complete lock-down (from 8 March 2020 to 4 May 2020), which consisted in the closure of companies, schools and universities and all recreational activities, with the only exception of essential services for health and basic needs (food, energy supplies, etc...). Transfers were not permitted apart from documented strict necessities (e.g. food shopping), health or work reasons. Leaving home for a walk was allowed only on your own and staying in the immediate vicinity (e.g. 200 meters). The government imposed the absolute social isolation for the whole population and, for those positive at Sars-CoV-2, the complete confinement at home.
Thus, individuals re-organized their lifestyles developing coping strategies and behaviors to satisfy their needs, i.e. smart-working, plan physical exercise at home, relaxing, explore new leisure activities. Nevertheless, despite the recommendations for conserving healthy lifestyle of the Italian Government, during the lock-down the likelihood to fall into unhealthy behaviors such as sedentary habits, poor diet, increase of tobacco and alcohol consumption has increased, as a response to routine disruption and home confinement.
Purpose: This study investigates the impact of the lock-down on daily lifestyles of a population of Italian adults living in an area of high spread of Sars-CoV-2. The aim of this study is to detect the changes of lifestyle occurred during the imposed lock-down, namely physical activity and diet habits.
Methods: A electronic population-based survey addressed to adult individuals living in the Province of Reggio Emilia was launched from May 4th up to June 15th. Individuals voluntarily agreed to participating after reading a full information note. The complete anonymity of data collected was guaranteed with respect to the European Regulation.
Results: 1826 individuals participated, 23% males and 77% females. 11% of participants lived alone, 93% had medium or high-level education, 23% were current smokers, 18% had one or more chronic pathologies, and 3.2% were positive at Sars-CoV-2, and thus completely isolated. Most participants were physically active while 13% were totally sedentary, and 33% were overweight.
During the lock-down phase 38% of participants continued working without any change, 30% increased smart-working and 6% did not work. Most participants did not change their physical activity habits but 35% reduced the amount of weekly exercise. Almost half of participants improved their diet habits but 25% worsen them.
During the lock-down phase 38% of participants continued working without any change, 30% increased smart-working and 6% did not work. Most participants did not change their physical activity habits but 35% reduced the amount of weekly exercise. Almost half of participants improved their diet habits but 25% worsen them.
Conclusion(s): Although the sample investigated is not completely representative of the target population, we conclude that the lock down had negative effects on physical activity and diet, which are pivotal factors for public health.
Implications: Physiotherapists should advocate campaigns to support healthy lifestyles, implementing strategies that support population to recovering active habits and to maintaining them even during any future lock-down phases.
Funding, acknowledgements: No funding was received to support this study.
Keywords: Lifestyle, Pandemics, Lock-down
Topic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Did this work require ethics approval? No
Institution: Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Italy
Committee: Comitato Etico dell’Area Vasta Emilia Nord
Reason: Data collected are anonymous at the source (no. 26 of GDPR 679/2016).
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
