Changes in eating habits, sleep, and physical activity during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic: A longitudinal study in young Brazilian adult males.

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has promoted changes in lifestyle behaviors, such as food consumption, sleep, and physical activity (PA). Few longitudinal studies have investigated these changes in young adults. Aim: This study aimed to assess lifestyle behaviors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in young adult males. Methods: 50 young adult males (18-35 years) recruited by posters and social media in Florianopolis, Brazil, provided data on food consumption, PA, and sleep in 2018-2019 (baseline) and during the pandemic in 2020 (follow-up). PA and sleep variables were assessed through self-reported questionnaires. Food records were used to evaluate food consumption. Weight was measured using Bioelectrical impedance analysis at baseline and using self-reported at follow-up. Multilevel linear regression models and generalized linear multilevel were used to test differences between baseline and follow-up. Results: The findings indicated significant changes at follow-up, compared to baseline. Decreased consumption of total fat (β = -13.32, 95% CI (-22.45; -4.18), p  < 0.01), sodium (β = -1330.72, 95% CI (-1790.63; -870.82), p  < 0.01), cholesterol (β = -212.99, 95% CI (-269.8; -156.18), p  < 0.01), total sugars (β = -65.12, 95% CI (-80.94; -49.29), p  < 0.01), alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverage were observed. Despite that, a slight increase in weight was also observed (80.70 ± 16.37 kg vs. 82.99 ± 15.42 kg, p  = 0.000748). Sleep duration increased (β = 0.7596, 95% CI (0.41; 1.11), p  < 0.01), and occupational PA decreased (β = -1168.1, 95% CI (-1422.33; -913.83), p  < 0.01), while domestic (β = 394.04, 95%CI (114.68; 673.39, p  < 0.01)) and leisure PA (β = 499.91, 95% CI (245.28; 754.53), p  < 0.01) increased. Conclusion: Our results suggest that social distancing policies positively impacted eating habits, sleep, and PA patterns. These changes are possibly linked to increased awareness of the need for a healthy lifestyle.